Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and FÁS clarify operational arrangementsof work permit procedures

The Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment (DETE), together with FÁS,have today (Monday 7 April 2003) announced operational arrangementsto give effect to the changes in work permit procedures announced by the Tánaiste on the 31st January last. These operational arrangements will come into effect on Wednesday 9 April 2003.

Under the arrangements, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, following consultation with FÁS will announce, on a quarterly basis, occupational sectors which will be considered ineligible for Work Permits. The Ineligible Occupational Sectors for the first quarter (April 9th - 30th June 2003) are set out in the Notes for Editors attached.

These occupational categories were arrived at following an intensive analysis of the skills profile of jobseekers registered with FÁS. The analysis included a comparison of the profile of job seekers with a profile of vacancies being registered by employers with FÁS in circumstances where the employer had indicated an intention to apply for a work permit if FÁS could not refer successful candidates.

The Department and FÁS are satisfied that there are sufficient personnel available to fill vacancies arising in those occupational categories now listed as ineligible for work permits during the first quarter.

While employers can seek the personnel in question through FÁS, they are also free to seek the required personnel through other agencies or other normal channels.Where specific skills are required, employers should also consider the option of training Irish or other personnel from the European Economic Area (EEA).

All occupational sectors other than those listed as ineligible will continue to be considered for work permits provided that job vacancies arising in those sectors are first registered with FÁS recruitment services for a period of 4 weeks (Ph: 1850 66 77 66). FÁS will notify both its local offices nationally as well as other EEA Public Employment Services of those vacancies. This will assist employers in attempting to source local or EEA labour to fill the position in advance of any potential Work Permit application.

Where specific skills are determined by FÁS and the Department to be in short supply, the existing requirement for the employer to advertise the position locally with FÁS over an initial four-week period may be dispensed with. In such cases FÁS will give the employer notification that they may proceed directly with a work permit application to the Department.

All Work Permit applications for eligible occupations received by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will be assessed to ensure that every effort has been made to source EEA nationals. Furthermore, in considering applications in future, the Department will give preference to applications in respect of nationals from the European Union Accession States. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Treaties of Accession, which will be signed on 16 April next.

Applications for work permits currently on hands in the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment will be considered in accordance with existing arrangements.

FÁS will continue to offer employers recruitment services in their effort to source Irish and EEA labour. FÁS International Employment Services have scheduled a large number of employer recruitment events for various occupational sectors in Europe during 2003. Employers wishing to obtain further information on these events should contact FÁS at 01 6070500.

Further Information on current Work Permit Procedures can be obtained from the DETE Work Permit Helpline at 1890 201616 or over the Internet at

www.djei.ie or www.fas.ie . Employers wishing to register vacancies with FÁS recruitment services should call 1850 66 77 66.

Notes for Editors

Occupational Sectors ineligible for Work Permits for period April 9th - 30th June 2003

• Clerical and Administrative

• General Labourers and Builders

• Operator and Production Staff

• Sales Staff

Including retail sales, sales representatives and Management/Supervisory/ Specialist Sales

• Transport Staff

Including Drivers - Bus, Coach, Car, Taxi, Fork Lift, and HGV etc

• Childcare Workers

Including Nursery/ Crèche Workers, Child Minder/ Nanny

• Hotel Tourism and Catering

Reception staff and Barpersons

• Craft Workers

Including Mechanic Aircraft, Bookbinder, Bricklayer, Cabinet Maker, Carpenter / Joiner, Carton Maker, Fitter - Construction Plant, Electrician, Instrumentation Craftsperson, Fitter, Tiler - Floor / Wall, Mechanic - Heavy Vehicles, Instrumentation Craftsperson, Metal Fabricator, Mechanic - Motor, I.T.- Network Administration, Originator, Painter And Decorator, Plumber, Printer, Engineer - Refrigeration, Sheet Metal Worker, Tool Maker, Vehicle Body Repairer, Machinist - Wood

ENDS