Cormac Devlin
Question:283. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42260/23]
View answerTuesday, 3 October 2023
Questions (283)
Written answers
Officials of my Department have informed me that a submission to the public consultation to the Review of the Occupations Lists for employment permits was received by email on 17th August on behalf of the employer mentioned in the details provided. This submission was acknowledged by return email on 21st August 2023.
My Department is actively considering submissions received to the public consultation which was open between June and August this year. Recommendations for approval are expected in November.
An occupation may be considered for inclusion on the Critical Skills Occupations List or removal from the Ineligible Occupations List provided that:
• There are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work;
• Development opportunities for Irish/EEA nationals are not undermined;
• Genuine skills shortage exists and that it is not a recruitment or retention problem;
• The Government’s education, training, employment, and economic development policies are supported;
• The skill shortage exists across the occupation, despite attempts by industry to train and attract Irish/EEA nationals to available jobs.
Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of upskilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.