Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is a limit on the amount of work permits issued each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17095/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since 2004, Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the workforce of the European Economic Area (EEA). Current Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand for strategic skills and labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors.

The numbers of employment permit applications submitted and issued have dropped since 2009 in line with economic conditions and the narrowing of eligible job categories and sectors where it was considered that a sufficient supply of labour exists. Where labour supply with the desired skills is difficult to source within the EEA, an Employment Permit may be sought for a third country national.

While Ireland does not operate a quota system, it is Government policy to issue Employment Permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand for strategic skills and labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors such as healthcare, information technology and financial services.

In the past when Ireland experienced both labour and skills shortages, the eligible occupation categories were broad enough to provide for an expanding economy and these labour market shortages. As labour market conditions deteriorated, the eligible occupation categories were narrowed and other restrictions applied in line with the decline in employment opportunities and the emergence of an oversupply of labour.

Eligible and ineligible categories of occupations for Employment Permits are determined, in line with the regular analyses of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (), Enterprise Development Agencies, and industry, with regard to labour market requirements. These recently updated categories can be viewed at .

On 10 April last, I announced a series of reforms to the EP system designed to encourage Ireland's attractiveness as a location for international mobile talent, particularly in the ICT sector. The reforms include:

- reduction of 33% in the processing time for employment permits,

- Improvements in the appeals process and a reduction in the number of appeals,

- Broadening the highly-skilled eligible occupations list, and

- Improved customer service and communications.

In 2012, a total of 2,918 employment permits were issued and 1,088 were renewed compared to 7,307 employment permits issued and 16,580 renewed in 2006.