Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term.
The Occupational Lists (Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupation List) for employment permits are subject to evidence-based review incorporating consideration of available research, and a public consultation which provides stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from key Government Departments.
An occupation may be considered for inclusion on, or removal from, the Occupations Lists where evidence supports that no suitable Irish/EEA nationals are available to undertake the work; development opportunities are not undermined; genuine skills shortages exist; and recruitment or retention issues are affected by factors other than salary and/or employment conditions.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the public consultation phase of the Review of the Occupations Lists is currently underway as of 26th June and will remain open until the 18th of August.
The occupation of Mechanic (agricultural or heavy vehicle) is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and, as such, an employment permit cannot be granted at present for this occupation. There has been engagement between my Department and the Department of Transport in regard to the sector and we expect to receive a submission on mechanics to the Review of the Occupations Lists.
The occupation of Construction Plant Fitter, while not on the Critical Skills Occupations List, is eligible for a General Employment Permit subject to a labour market needs test.
The Department invites submissions from industry representatives and stakeholders on the nature and extent of labour and skills shortages. The submission process is a vital source of information and serves to inform the Department’s final assessment of the status of occupations.
