Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any plans to align or streamline the work permit and visa applications processes to reduce the time it takes to bring much-needed workers into the State to take up their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10169/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Much has already been done to improve the employment permit system and my Department is always focused on improving the service, with initiatives such as the Trusted Partner Registration system, and the introduction of the electronic employment permit and the Multi-Site General Employment Permit for Doctors.

Waiting times for Employment Permit processing have been greatly reduced over the past year, falling from 21 weeks to 4-7 business days. The Department plans to maintain processing times for all applications at this level, on the assumption that estimated demand remains at current levels for 2023.

Ireland has a clear division between economic migration and general immigration policies. Currently, a recipient of an employment permit undergoes a separate application process with the Department of Justice for a visa to enter the State, if they are a citizen of a visa-required country. Over 60 non-EEA countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, are not visa required so their citizens do not have to apply for an entry visa.

In time, I would like to see the development of a single application procedure for work permits and entry visas. My Department and the Department of Justice are currently establishing an Inter-Departmental Group to examine the legal and operational changes required to deliver a more seamless customer experience for users of the employment permits and entry visa systems. It is expected to make recommendations to Government within six months.

My Department is currently building a new Employment Permits IT system that will take advantage of the latest technologies to deliver a fast and efficient service. We will ensure that the new system is developed in tandem with the Department of Justice so that both systems can deliver a more seamless service in the future.