Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 7 March 2013, if a review of the applicant's entitlement to a work permit can be undertaken in view of the fact that although they are currently five months short of being the holder of a work permit for five years due to administrative gaps in the renewal process, they have in fact more than six years of employment within the State on foot of work permit; if they will now be credited with any shortfall due to the fact that the gaps in question were not due to any oversights on their part; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15921/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have reviewed the work permit history in respect of the person named by the Deputy.

A work permit application was received from this person on 14 December 2002 and a permit covering the period 15 March 2003 to 14 March 2004 issued on 15 March 2003.

An application in respect of a spousal dependent permit was received in my Department on 12 September 2008 and this permit, covering the period 26 August 2008 to 23 January 2010, issued on 29 September 2008.

A renewal application in respect of the spousal permit was received in my Department on 12 January 2010 and was issued in respect of the period 24 January 2010 to 6 January 2011. This permit issued on 7 April 2010.

Finally, a work permit application for the person named by the Deputy was received in my Department on 23 June 2011. This permit was issued on 27 June 2011 and covered the period 7 January 2011 to 6 January 2013. Therefore it appears that no administrative gaps occurred in relation to employment permits processed in this case.

In relation to the current permit application in respect of this person the Deputy will be aware on foot of my response to him on 7 March 2013 that an application for an employment permit in respect of this person was received in my Department on 3 January 2013. My Department wrote to the employer on 12 February 2013 seeking additional information relating to this application. My Department is currently awaiting a reply. As the deadline for receipt of this information has passed a refusal letter in respect of this application may issue in due course.

You may be aware that there is also an onus on an individual who is required to have an employment permit to ensure that their immigration status is properly maintained at all times.

The administration of applications for long term residency in respect of persons that have been legally resident in the State and held valid employment permits for a five year period is dealt with by my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.