Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
255. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current number of work permits allocated for motor/auto mechanics; if he proposes to increase that number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/24]
View answerThe 2023 Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists has delivered comprehensive changes to the employment permits system, with changes to the eligibility of 43 occupation for either a General Employment Permit (GEP) or a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP).
A number of new quotas were opened up to provide GEP access for previously ineligible occupations such as that of Car Mechanic. A quota of 200 GEPs was opened for the occupation of car mechanic. An additional quota of 200 GEPs was also opened for the role of HGV/bus mechanic.
As these quotas have only recently been available, only 6 of the car mechanic quota and 4 of the HGV/Bus mechanic quota have been issued. Consequently, there are no plans to increase these quotas at the present time. The next Review of the Occupations Lists will again by way of a public consultation, provide stakeholders in the motor trade with the opportunity to make evidence-based submissions to help inform the decision-making process of the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy.
A summary of the changes from the 2023 Review of the Employment Permit Occupations Lists is available in a Report on the Department’s website.
