Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2017
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the needs of urgently required skills in the workforce continue to be facilitated by way of work permits; the extent to which adequate procedures are in place to meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the EU and other EEA states. The employment permits system is intended to offer an interim solution where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA; it offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy led system.
Changes to access to the Irish labour market for specific occupations via the employment permits system are made on the basis of research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) in tandem with a consultation process, as part of a package of measures to meet those skills needs.
The education system plays a critical role in delivering many of those measures, and any changes to the lists managing the eligibility of specific occupations for employment permits are made with due regard not only to their potential impacts on the resident labour market but also to upskilling and training that is in place.
The bi-annual review of the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List and the Ineligible Categories of Employment List ensures that access to the global labour market for Irish employers experiencing skill shortages is focused on the State’s current skills needs.
The demand for employment permits has risen by circa 300% since 2013. Over this period a number of initiatives have been introduced to address the increase in demand including conducting a business process review, the introduction of a Trusted Partner Initiative, the provision of an online Status Query facility and the launch of an online application system. Further actions will be taken in 2017 to respond to the increased demand which reflects positive labour market tightening in the economy.
