Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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85. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the so-called trusted partner status for companies and agencies based here, and hiring workers from outside the European Economic Area; the number of such workers who have entered the State under this system in each year since 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35236/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Trusted Partner Initiative was launched on 12 May 2015 and was one of my commitments in the Action Plan for Jobs 2015. The employment permit application process is streamlined for those employers who are granted Trusted Partner status. The application process to become a Trusted Partner is onerous and applicants must provide significant detail and evidence of their legal entitlement to trade in Ireland both as a business and as an employer. In addition, all applicants for such status must sign a comprehensive declaration confirming their compliance and obligations in respect of subsequent employment permits issued.

The key benefits to employers are:

- No fee involved to become a Trusted Partner,

- Trusted Partner registration period will be valid for 2 years after which it can be renewed,

- shortened employment permit application forms to complete,

- less documentation required with each application, and

- a faster turnaround time to process employment permit applications.

As of 8 October 2015 a total of 64 employers have been granted Trusted Partner status and have been issued with a total of 246 employment permits.

I am very pleased so far with the operation of this Initiative which is of benefit to employers who have demonstrated that they warrant Trusted Partner status.