Employers sought nearly 7,000 foreign workers' permits in December in an attempt to avoid tougher rules imposed by the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
From January 2nd, most employers have been required to get a letter from FÁS to say that they have made 'all reasonable efforts' to find workers from Ireland or within the European Economic Area (EEA) before employing other foreign nationals. The cost of applications increased on the same date from €158 (£125) to €400.
Faced with the new rules, employers submitted 6,900 applications in December, including 1,400 in the last four working days before Christmas, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs was told yesterday.
The tougher rules were brought by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney following an increase in unemployment - though they do not apply to medical staff, which are still badly needed by Irish hospitals.
Applications are now taking up to 57 days, except in special cases. However, the Department hopes to have the average delay down to 14 by June, according to Mr Michael Cunniffe, a principle officer with the Department.
Despite the economic slowdown, applications are still running at 1,000 a week, although 'demand has been depressed' since the New Year as employers and FÁS come to terms with the new system, the committee heard.
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