Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for work permits granted in of the past five years; the number of applications currently awaiting decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44570/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which applications for work permits can be expedited where the information has been provided previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44571/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.

The Employment Permits Section of the Department has provided the following figures for the number of employment permits granted between 2018 and 2023:

There are currently 2,471 employment permit applications in the processing queue.

As of the 10^thOctober 2023 the processing dates in respect of employment permit applications are as follows:

- Standard New Applications - 13 September 2023

- Trusted Partner Applications - 15 September 2023

- Renewal Applications – 13^thSeptember 2023 for Standard and 14^thSeptember 2023 for Trusted Partner

Processing times are updated on a weekly basis at the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/.

Following the implementation of an internal plan of action which increased resources and implemented efficiency measures the Employment Permits Unit has significantly reduced the number of applications awaiting processing comparing to year 2022. The Department plans to maintain processing times for all applications at approximately this level, or better, on the assumption that demand remains at current levels.

Due to the significant improvement in the processing times in respect of employment permits, an application to have an employment permit expedited will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis. The Department can only consider a request to expedite an employment permit application where a detailed business case is provided.

Details of the exceptional case must be submitted to the Department on the official expedite request form (available on our website), which is a prerequisite for DETE to consider any such request. A separate expedite request form is required for each application.

Once the business case is completed it should be submitted to Employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie for consideration. It is important to point out that the completion of a business case does not guarantee that an expedite will be facilitated.