Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
81. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to include jockeys and skilled work riders for employment in horse training yards on the critical skills list and other employment permit categories due to chronic shortages in the labour market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20359/19]
View answerThe State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states. Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the State and EEA, the employment permits system offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy led system.
The system is managed through the operation of Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List for the purpose of granting an employment permit. The Lists are subject to twice-yearly review predicated on a formalised and evidence-based process and involves consideration of the research and analysis undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (Solas), the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the National Skills Council, and input by relevant Government Departments in addition to a public consultation phase. Submissions to the review process are also considered by the Economic Migration Policy Interdepartmental Group chaired by DBEI with membership drawn from senior officials of key Government Departments including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Jockeys/skilled work riders are currently included on the Ineligible Occupations List. In order to make changes to the ineligible list, there would need to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. Organisations in the sector would need to provide the necessary evidence to substantiate their claims.
The horseracing industry is recognised as a significant economic sporting sector and evidence suggests there are some efforts to provide training and career progression opportunities plus it is acknowledged the unique physical criteria applying to individuals in this role may be challenging to source within the EEA. However, there is currently insufficient data available on this occupation to suggest shortages. The views of the lead policy Government Department for the sector, in this case, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, are an important part of the decision-making process.
Following completion of the most recent review, which included consideration of a submission from the horse racing industry, based on the evidence available this occupation was not proposed for amendment at this time. However, it is proposed that the sector provide more information, in particular detailed evidence of efforts to recruit from within the EEA for consideration during the next review. In particular the sector should engage with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social protection who have responsibility for EURES the (European Employment Services), and who are well positioned to help sectors to recruit from within the EEA
The next review process is scheduled to commence with a public consultation phase before the end of the month.
