National development plan delivery
The Taoiseach describes the planning and expected timelines for major roads, noting that some projects may run into 2007. He also acknowledges delays in work-permit processing and says a Bill and additional staff are intended to help.
On the same matter, is the Taoiseach telling the House that there will be a dual carriageway from Dublin to Cork in four years? Regarding An Action Programme for the Millennium, and acknowledging an increase in employment, one of the major obstacles we face is a major skills shortage. How does the Taoiseach propose to ease the visa restrictions to allow immigrants work permits and greater access to work permits?
Comment on this
On the national development plan and the roads to Belfast, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford, the NRA was given the task of putting project teams together to design those either in blocks or in large contracts. I mentioned the Belfast road. The NRA recently set out Waterford which will be in two contracts; there will be a number in Cork. They are designing and planning in a way that can—
Comment on this
Yes, I accept that. When this was being discussed some years ago, everyone stated that we could not do what we have done in Waterford. I acknowledge that Deputy Quinn did raise that. It was done across county councils. The experts say that in the case of Waterford the project has been shortened by five years.
Comment on this
Some will drift into 2007. Some of these roads were not expected to be completed until 2012.
On the second part of the question, a work permits Bill is coming before the House. Last year 20,000 non-EU people came through that system, compared to 800 more recently. It is a large number of people. There is a problem in that employers have a long delay, particularly in certain industries. I acknowledge that they need greater certainty and a faster turn around. Additional staff were employed to expedite matters. With the range of countries from which people come and the checking system, it is still too slow. They are streamlining that again to make it less bureaucratic and simpler. The old system which dealt with only a few hundred applicants is too cumbersome. Subject to correction, the new system was introduced earlier this year and that is desirable.
The Deputy is correct in that our unemployment rate is under 3.5% . In a number of the key sectors there is no unemployment. The information communication technologies sectors tell me they have 50 or 60 vacancies. The system has to be faster because people will come from non-EU countries. We want to do that. I hoped we could do without the legislation but it is due.