Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
215. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts being made in his Department to streamline the employment permit process to facilitate the recruitment of workers for the private and voluntary nursing home sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53279/23]
View answerThe Strategic Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG), led by the Department of Health, was established to examine strategic workforce challenges in publicly and privately funded home support and nursing home providers and its report was published in October 2022. Recommendations of the report included the provision of access to employment permits for roles in the nursing home sector and the undertaking of a review of the framework of the health care assistant role in the context of enhanced access to the employment permits system.
This sector review is being led by my Department, the tender process for this study has closed, and a preferred bidder has been identified. It is expected that the consultancy firm will begin work in December 2023, with its findings are expected to be published in the new year.
In order to address skills and labour shortages in the public and private healthcare and nursing home sector the roles of Healthcare Assistant and Care Worker have been made eligible for employment permits since 2021 and 2022 respectively
Separately, a deliberative process to review the occupations lists (Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupations List) for employment permits is nearing completion. This review incorporated a public consultation, to which some submissions were made in regard to the nursing home sector. The Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy was established to oversee the process and its report has now been received by my office for my consideration.
Efforts are ongoing to streamline the employment permits application process. Actions includes enhancing the current processing system through the development of a new Employment Permits IT platform which will align DETE and Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) online information. The new platform will support the removal of duplication of eligibility checks and document validation. It will also facilitate operational efficiencies and coordination between the relevant Government Departments and agencies.
The development of a single application procedure is also under consideration. Currently Ireland operates distinct employment permit and immigration application procedures. Employment permit holders must undergo an application processes with the Department of Justice for immigration and visa permission to enter the State if the individual is a citizen of a visa-required country.
An Interdepartmental Group, led by the Department of Justice, has been established to examine the legal and operational changes required to deliver a single application process for users of the employment permits system and visa immigration system. The IDG is due to report in the coming weeks.
