Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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529. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if changes are proposed to the atypical work permit scheme to make the processing time of applications more efficient; when these proposed changes are likely to be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10211/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) was developed by agreement between the Department of Justice and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), in order to facilitate specialised, highly-skilled employment of a short term nature (generally less than 90 days) that is not supported by current Employment Permit legislation.

Following consultation with other Government Departments and Agencies (including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health, and the Health Services Executive (HSE)), certain other employment situations are also supported by the Atypical Working Scheme.

The wider terms of the Atypical Working Scheme are subject to inter-Departmental and inter-agency agreement by the stakeholders outlined above and are kept under ongoing review.

The staffing levels in the Atypical Working Scheme Unit of my Department are kept under constant review and additional staff have been assigned to the team, as required. It should be noted that the stated minimum processing time required under the terms of the Atypical Working Scheme is 20 working days. Currently, the average processing time for AWS applications is 16 working days.

It remains open for any individual intending to work in the State to secure a longer term permission on that basis via the Employment Permit system operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, rather than the shorter term provided by the Atypical Working Scheme. Further information relating to employment permits can be found on that Department's website, www.enterprise.gov.ie.

Further information on the AWS is available on my Department's website: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-work-visa-options/applying-for-a-long-stay-employment-visa/atypical-working-scheme/