Work permit refusal rate soars more than 300% as crackdown kicks in

THE refusal rate for foreign workers applying to work here has increased by more than 300%.

The figures are a reflection of the Government policy to restrict numbers of non-EU workers in response to the economic downturn of the past year.

Workers from almost 130 countries are employed here under the system, under which bosses must ensure no suitable Irish or European person is available to take a job before looking elsewhere for staff.