Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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267. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to delays in the processing of applications under the critical skills work permit system; the steps being taken to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29264/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Section in my Department informs me that it is currently processing Trusted Partner applications received on 25th May and standard applications received on 3rd April.

My officials advise prospective applicants that any application for an employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date. It is currently taking 13 weeks to process standard applications, including Critical Skills Employment Permits.

In the first half of 2018 (end June) the total number of employment permit applications accepted was 8,195, a 24% increase over the same period in 2017 (6,596 permit applications). During this period 5,851 employment permits issued (of which 2,301 have been for Critical Skills Employment Permits), a 5% increase over the same period in 2017 (5,569 permits issued).