Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
626. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the review of eligibility for employment permits (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16590/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland operates a managed employment permits system which maximises the benefits of economic migration while minimising the risk of disrupting the domestic labour market. In order to ensure that the system is responsive to the changes in economic circumstances and labour market conditions, the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List (HSEOL) and the Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL) for employment permit purposes are reviewed on a twice yearly basis.
Following a review of the Highly Skilled and Ineligible lists of Employment earlier this year certain chef grades were removed from the ineligible occupation list. This means that if an employer is unsuccessful in filling a vacancy either domestically or from across the European Economic Area (EEA) it can be filled by a suitably qualified non-EEA national.
The removal of certain chef grades from the ineligible lists will ensure that there is a mechanism to address the shortage of qualified chefs in the short-term. A quota of 610 permits has been applied to ensure that in the longer term the demand for chefs is met from a steady supply in the Irish labour market and to that end work is underway to increase the supply of chefs through training initiatives such as the development of a new Commis Chef Apprenticeship and a Chef de Partie Apprenticeship.
In addition, a number of employments in animation were added to the highly skilled list. Irish animation industry has emerged as a central component of Ireland’s digital and creative economy. However, the lack of available experienced highly skilled animation professionals limits the sector’s continued growth and expansion.
It is also imperative that the employment permits system remains correctly oriented to meet the State’s emerging labour market needs, be they labour or skills shortages. Consequently, my Department is undertaking a review of our economic migration policy. An Inter Departmental Group to steer the review has been established with a report expected by the end of June 2018.
