The Tánaiste today announced the introduction of new work permit arrangements to ensure employers offer first choice of available jobs to Irish or other EU nationals.
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From January 2nd, 2002 the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment will no longer accept applications for new work permits unless they are accompanied by a letter from FÁS confirming that all reasonable efforts have been made by the employer to find an Irish or EU national to fill the vacancy.
Applications received before the deadline will be subjected to a closer level of scrutiny, and employers may be asked to show more clearly the efforts made to recruit staff locally.
Between the start of this year and the end of November, over 32,000 work permits were issued to foreigners in Ireland.
A large proportion of the permits involved low or unskilled jobs on farms, in factories and in the construction, hotel, catering or retail trades.
Making the announcement, Ms Harney said she was introducing the measures because she believes "the operation of the work permit facility should reflect prevailing labour market conditions".
"This has not been the case in recent months and, in fact, we had reached a situation where applications for work permits were continuing to increase despite recent job losses and the generally acknowledged prospects for a slower rate of growth in the economy."
The new arrangements will not apply to special permit schemes for medical, IT, nursing and construction staff.
A new annual fee of €400 will apply to all work permit applications received on or after January 2nd, 2002.