Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when a decision will issue on an application by a person (details supplied) for a work permit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46168/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits section of my Department inform me that an application for a General Employment Permit for the person concerned was received on 24th September 2018.

As the Employment Permits section is currently processing Standard applications received on 25th July 2018, this application should be considered within the next 9-10 weeks.

The Employment Permits section has experienced high levels of demand for employment permits so far this year which has contributed to increased processing times for applications. At end October 2018, 13,953 applications had been received, a 28% increase on the same time last year.

In order to reduce processing times, the Employment Permits section has introduced a number of operational changes, streamlined processes and implemented ICT solutions. Additional staffing resources have also been assigned to the section and a fast track training programme has been devised.

As a result of the implementation of these changes, processing times are now reducing. Trusted Partner processing times have reduced to 5 weeks (from a peak of 7 weeks) and Standard application processing times have reduced to 15 weeks (from a peak of 16 weeks).

Further reductions in processing times are anticipated in the coming weeks as the changes being implemented by my officials continue to manifest.