Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will in conjunction with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, put measures in place to expedite visas for suitable applicants for the hospitality industry in order to alleviate staffing shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3785/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit, which is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Any changes to the employment permit system are a matter for that Department.

In relation to the role of my Department, non-EEA nationals cannot work in Ireland unless they have an immigration permission. For non-EEA nationals that are not visa-required, they must register their permission with my Department within 90 days of their arrival in Ireland. For those who are visa-required, they must apply for a long stay employment visa, also called a 'D' visa, once they have been granted an employment permit from DETE.

Further details on long stay employment visas can be found on my Department's Irish Immigration website (www.irishimmigration.ie).

It is important to note that the granting of a work permit by DETE has no bearing on whether a visa will subsequently be granted. These are two very distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department is aware of the time sensitive nature of employment visas and ensures that they are treated as priority applications.