Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
171. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits that have been issued to date in 2023 for work riders (stable staff that are employed and qualified to exercise horses and bring them out to the gallops); if he has plans to issue more work permits for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41940/23]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that the occupation of Work Rider is eligible for a General Employment Permit subject to quota. As of today 26th September 2023, the full quota of 100 permits has been allocated.
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 including the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine who as lead policy department for the sector specifically related to this occupation, may provide observations on the occupation under review.
An occupation may be considered for inclusion in, 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.
My Department launched a review of the occupation lists on Monday 26th June 2023. Stakeholders and interested parties were invited to make a submission in relation to any relevant factors that they consider are impacting their sectors and for the Department to potentially make adjustments to the lists.
The final date for submissions was 5pm, Friday, 18th August 2023. I can confirm that my Department has received a submission in relation to the occupation of Work Rider. The data from each submission is being extracted and reviewed and the findings of the review are expected to be finalised by the end of October.
