Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
494. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration is being given to reducing the minimum salary for family re-unification concerning non-EEA healthcare assistants, under the general employment permit, in view of changes to the scheme in 2021 which set the annual minimum salary at €27,000 for such healthcare assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18225/23]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permit system through occupation lists, namely the critical skills and ineligible occupation lists, which are reviewed twice a year. This is an evidence-based process that takes account of labour market conditions and submissions from sectors and other stakeholders together with contextual factors, including for example the impact of COVID-19. The purpose of the system is to maximise the benefits of economic migration while minimising the risk of disrupting the Irish labour market.
Access to employment permits for the role of health care assistant was announced in June 2021 to address skills and labour shortages in the healthcare and nursing home sector. Evidence within the healthcare sector suggest increasing competition for skilled candidates in several healthcare roles and that despite increased efforts to recruit from the Irish and European labour markets, including through engagement with the Department of Social Protection, supply could not sufficiently meet demand.
Increases in the aging population and consequent increases in demand for services means a significant number of health care assistants are required to provide sufficient long-term residential care for older people into the future. In order to attract non-EEA nationals and encourage them to take up employment in the role in a priority sector, the removal of health care assistant from the ineligible occupations list was introduced under a framework that the permit holder can be assured a salary of at least €27,000. The permit holder should also attain a relevant qualification at least QQI Level 5 after 2 years employment in the State
Remuneration for employment permit purposes is a labour market policy instrument in which setting minimum remuneration thresholds is a delicate balancing act. Economic migration seeks to serve the skills needs of the economy without impacting the wider labour market. Therefore, being cognisant that there are a range of remuneration levels in the sector (€24,000 - €32,000) and recognising the need to be able to recruit staff while ensuring that there is no disruption to the domestic labour market, a minimum annual remuneration threshold of €27,000 has been set for this occupation.
The conditions governing family reunification are a matter for the Minister for Justice.
