(1) Subject to any requirement that this Act specifies is to be satisfied in respect of the grant of an employment permit, an employment permit shall be granted in respect of a purpose specified in subsection (2).

(2) The purposes for which an employment permit may, subject to any requirement referred to in subsection (1), be granted are as follows:

(a) to provide for the employment in the State of a foreign national who has skills that are required -

(i) in enterprises in an economic sector that is of importance for either the economic or social development of the State or both, and

(ii) in employments that are essential to the development and growth of those enterprises or that economic sector,

and that are in critical short supply in the State in such enterprises and employments and the Minister is satisfied that where such enterprises are unable to recruit such appropriately skilled persons, or there is a shortage of such persons, that inability to recruit or that shortage is likely to hinder -

(I) the development and growth of such enterprises, and

(II) the economic development of, and the development of industry, technology and enterprise in, the State and the services which support such development,