Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 February 2025
70. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on engagement he has had with employers, or their representatives, in relation to work permits for healthcare assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6607/25]
View answerHealth Care Assistants (HCAs) have been eligible for employment permits since 2021 and constructive engagement with the sector has been ongoing ever since. As a precondition of access to employment permits for this role, a strategic review on the impact of HCA employment permits was required.
This review was conducted in 2023/24 and care home employers and their representatives participated in the project steering group, alongside permit holder representatives, providing contributions to the development of the review as well as feedback on its findings. As part of this review a survey was conducted which drew responses from over 100 employers and 300 from Health Care Assistants.
An increase of the minimum salary for Health Care Assistants to €30,000 was implemented on 17th January 2025. This now brings the minimum salary for this role in line with the minimum for the Department of Justice's family reunification thresholds.
These higher Employment Permit minimum thresholds recognise the valuable contribution economic migrants make to this country and ensure they have the means to make a decent life for themselves.
While my Department does not have responsibility for family reunification policy, I understand that it is currently under review by the Department of Justice and that my officials are actively engaged in this process in order to facilitate a whole-of-government approach that ensures Ireland remains an attractive destination for highly skilled workers and their families.
I confirm that we will continue to engage collaboratively to ensure greater access to family reunification for this critical cohort of carers.
I can also confirm that a review of the impact of the 2024 increase to employment permit minimum salaries is currently underway. As part of this review an online consultation was open to employers, employees, permit holders, their representatives and other relevant stakeholders. The feedback received during this consultation will be given due consideration for ensuring future increases to minimum annual remuneration are implemented in a sustainable and equitable manner.
Under the Employment Permits Act 2024, minimum salaries for employment permits must increase in line with increases in average weekly earnings in the state. This will prevent any future stagnation of employment permit salary thresholds.
