Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
17. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Question No. 7 of 12 October 2023, the status of the review by his Department of the eligibility of occupations appearing on the critical skills occupations list and the ineligible occupations list for employment permits; his plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupations list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51383/23]
View answerMy question is a simple one with regard to the review being carried out about the occupations appearing on the critical occupations list and ineligible occupations list. I have raised this previously, as have other TDs. I know it is under review but could the Minister give me a specific date for when it will be ready?
I am very grateful for Deputy Connolly raising the issue again at this session. I will give her an update as requested.
For the benefit of the House and as the Deputy knows, the occupations lists for employment permits are currently being revised as part of an evidence-based review, which incorporates a public consultation to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Well over 100 submissions were received over the summer. This is ten times the number of submissions received since the last time this review was carried out.
The deliberative process is ongoing at present with submissions to the review under consideration by the interdepartmental group on economic migration policy with cross-Departmental membership including the Department of Health, which has policy responsibility for the dental sector. The group was convened in late October to oversee the review, consider all evidence and submissions and collect the observations from Departments with regard to shortages and impacts in their sectors.
The role of dental nurse is listed on the ineligible occupations list and, therefore, is not eligible for an employment permit at present. On submission did make reference to "dental nurse" in the course of the review. I am expecting a report on the review in the coming days, which I will then consider. When I am in a position to do so, I will report back on the outcome. For exact clarity, I hope to have this report on my desk to review over the weekend. I hope, therefore, to be able to engage with my fellow Ministers and publish something within the next ten days to two weeks at the very longest.
I appreciate that, because the uncertainty is very unhelpful to people on the ground. We have all received representations about dental nurses, carpenters and a whole range of occupations. Obviously, we all want people to be employed from within the country but with the skills shortage and until we deal properly with apprenticeships and people coming forward, we need something in the meantime. I appreciate it.
I will not labour the point. I will take the Minister of State at his word that he will have this for the weekend and it will be published and available for everyone to see within the next two weeks.
I confirm that once it has been reviewed and signed off by me and my ministerial colleagues, it will, of course, be published and reviewed. The ambition is to do it within the next fortnight. I will be sure to stay in close contact with the Deputy directly should that timeline deviate by a day or two, as she will appreciate sometimes happens in these matters.
