Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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165. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19415/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Employment permits policy is calibrated to encourage the meeting of general labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland the EU or other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Ireland's labour market is part of a much greater EEA labour market which affords a considerable supply of skilled workers. Notwithstanding the priority afforded to Irish and EEA nationals, however, Ireland does operate in a global skills market, and where we experience skills gaps, the employment permits system has been designed to facilitate the employment of highly skilled individuals from beyond the EEA in Ireland.The table provides the overall figures of employment permits granted for each year from 2010-2014. 25,836 employment permits have been granted in total during the period, of which 8,444 were renewals. The number of new permits issued in the period represents a yearly average over the five years of 0.16% of the labour market.

Employment Permits granted 2010 - 2014