Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
16. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how often his Department carries out a review of the employment permits lists; how long these review take before the lists are updated; how stakeholders and interested parties have been made aware of these reviews in order to part-take in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31604/23]
View answerThe employment permits occupations lists are usually reviewed once or twice a year, depending on other economic migration policy priorities, such as the new Employment Permits Bill. The reviews incorporate a public consultation, seek the views of lead policy departments and consider relevant research. The process from opening the consultation to making amendments to Regulations can take a number of months, depending on the volume and complexity of the submissions received.
Submissions are invited via an announcement launching a review on my Department’s website and announced through various media, including social media. In addition, interested parties may register their interest in the opening of any future public consultation through a link on my Department’s website. Those registered will receive an email bulletin advising that the review process has opened.
On 26th June a consultation period for a new review was opened, which is scheduled to last for 8 weeks, providing ample time for sector representatives and employers to gather their evidence to seek changes to be made to a range of occupations.
My Department keeps the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances and outside of the full review process the Department continues to be in contact with relevant policy departments and other stakeholders to address particular challenges as they arise.
My Department actively responds to the concerns raised by various sectors with regard to the critical short supply of skills in a number of roles and this has been highlighted by the number of amendments made to the Employment Permits Regulations over the last two years.
