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Work Permits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022

Thursday, 27 January 2022

Questions (155)

Michael Creed

Question:

155. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the situation regarding the availability of visas and work permits for persons in the construction industry; the policy approach by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4117/22]

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Written answers

The State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.

The system is, by design, vacancy led and managed through the operation of the occupation lists: the critical skills list in respect of skills that are in critical shortage in the labour market and the ineligible occupations lists for which a ready source of labour is available from within Ireland and the EEA.

Changes to the employment permit occupations lists are made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, genuine skills shortage exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.

The occupations lists are subject to twice yearly evidence-based review and take account of research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SOLAS) and the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), a public consultation process, input from the relevant policy Departments and the Economic Migration Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by the Department. Account is also taken of contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID 19.

The most recent review concluded on 27th October. To alleviate continued shortages in construction, to assist in the deliver on the National Planning Framework objective of 33,000 new homes per annum until 2030 and to deliver on our Climate Action targets, an additional 8 construction sector categories of occupation were made eligible for a general employment permit.

These newly eligible roles are for Electricians; Masons; Roofers, Roof Tilers and Slaters; Plumbers and Heating and Ventilating Engineers; Carpenters and Joiners; Floorers and Wall Tilers; Painters and Decorators; and Construction and Building Trades Supervisors.

This essentially ensures that almost all construction roles can access the employment permit system.

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