Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2018
131. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the policies in place to attract emigrants to return here and retain skilled talent in the State after qualifying. [19546/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's goal is to support the creation of an additional 200,000 jobs by 2020, including 135,000 outside of Dublin, and to attract back at least 70,000 emigrants. The whole of Government effort to deliver on these objectives is supported by the annual Action Plan for Jobs.
Enterprise 2025 together with Innovation 2020 and the National Skills Strategy 2025 provide coherent, complementary and mutually reinforcing strategies focused on developing, retaining and attracting talent.
Ireland's enterprise policy is delivering - we now have 2.1 million people at work and an unemployment rate of below 6%. The CSO reports that in the year to April 2017, net migration for Ireland, at +19,800 was at the highest level since 2008. This is a factor of both an increase in immigrants of 2.8%, from 82,300 to 84,600 and a decrease in emigrants from 66,200 to 64,800.
My Department and its agencies have a range of initiatives to connect with Irish emigrants (and others) and outline the careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in Ireland. These include:
- My officials undertaking a comprehensive review of the employment permits system to ensure that it remains fit for purpose in a changing environment
- Since 2016, my Department has funded TechLife Ireland - a partnership with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Irish Technology industry to promote and brand Ireland as a top destination to pursue a career in technology and attract top tech professionals to Ireland each year. Industry is playing an important role in supporting the initiative and driving its development.
- IDA Ireland actively promotes Ireland as a location for new investment that offers a high quality of life for mobile talent; and Enterprise Ireland has specific targets to attract entrepreneurs to Ireland with a focused marketing programme underway in international markets.
- Science Foundation Ireland encourages leading researchers to move to Ireland raising Ireland's profile as a location for research excellence and career advancement.
In terms of retaining non-Irish graduates after qualifying, the Government has extended the Third Level Graduate Scheme, for non-EU/EEA students at level 9 and above of the National Framework of Qualifications. The new permission will double the ‘stay back option’ for masters and PhD students from 12 months to 24 months. This allows eligible graduates who have studied in Irish higher education institutions and whose award is granted by a recognised Irish awarding body at Masters or PhD level to remain in Ireland for two years to seek employment. It also ensures that our enterprises can retain skilled talent for a period of time post qualification.
Earlier this year the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade published a report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants. This independent report was commissioned with the goal of identifying solutions to disproportionate or unnecessary administrative burdens affecting Irish emigrants wishing to return to live in Ireland. The findings of this report will help inform the Government's ongoing work on making returning to Ireland as easy as possible.
Enterprise 2025 Renewed is focused on driving growth over the longer term that is sustainable, driven by export led growth and underpinned by talent and innovation. Our objective is to deepen the resilience of our enterprise base and to deliver quality employment. We continue to put the appropriate actions in place across Government to ensure we attract, retain and develop the skills we need to realise our ambition.
