Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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40. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current average processing times for general and critical skills employment permit applications; to provide a comparison with the same period in 2025; the efforts being made by his Department to reduce employment permit application waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50437/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My department is committed to delivering an efficient and responsive employment permit system which supports businesses and ensures that we are positioned to maximise the benefits of economic migration. The system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages required to develop and support enterprise for the benefit of our economy.

Following a surge in demand for employment permits in recent years, the department implemented an action plan which increased resources and introduced more efficient methods of processing permit applications. The measures have resulted in significant reductions in waiting times and an improved user experience.

One of the central aspects of the action plan was to implement a new and improved system for processing permits. The new system, Employment Permits Online, launched in April, following three years of development. The cloud-based system transforms the way in which we process and issue permits, and the portal access provides employers and applicants with up to date access on their applications.

While there has been a slight increase in processing time for General Employment Permits as a result of the transition to the new system, timeframes remain within target levels and compare favourably with international norms. The department continues to monitor demand and the allocation of resources carefully and processing times are expected to reduce further in the coming weeks and months.

As of 22 September 2025, the current average processing times for employment permit applications are as follows:

• General Employment Permit Applications received up to 25 July 2025 are currently being processed.
• Critical Skills Employment Permit Applications received up to 19 August 2025 are currently being processed.