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Work Permits Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Ceisteanna (261, 262)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

261. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the situation for skilled construction workers (details supplied) from Ukraine obtaining work visas for here in the context of the acute shortage of such skilled workers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17545/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

262. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a fast-track visa programme for skilled construction workers (details supplied) from Ukraine will be considered to obtain work visas for here in the context of the acute shortage of such skilled workers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17546/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

My Department has responsibility for the administration of the Employment Permits Acts 2003-2014 and the consideration of applications for employment permits which allow non-EEA nationals to take up employment in the State.  Under this legislation, in order to work in the State all non-EEA nationals require a valid employment permit unless exempt under permission from the Department of Justice and Equality. 

The State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states.  Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the State and EEA, the employment permits system offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy led system.  

The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List for the purposes of granting an employment permit.  The Lists are subject to twice yearly review which is predicated on a formalised and evidence-based process and involves consideration of the research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (Solas), the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the National Skills Council, and input by relevant Government Departments in addition to the public consultation phase.  Submissions to the review process are also considered by the Economic Migration Policy Interdepartmental Group chaired by DBEI with membership drawn from senior officials of key Government Departments and a Government agency, i.e., the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Justice & Equality, the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the Department of Education & Skills, the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation (Skills Policy and Education Policy Unit), and the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS.

Following completion of the most recent review, I introduced a number of changes to the Occupations Lists, in response to clear skills shortages in the Construction Sector. These changes will come into effect on 22nd April 2019. 

The following occupations will be added to the Critical Skills Occupations List and will be eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit:

- Civil Engineers

- Quantity Surveyors

- Construction Project Managers

- Mechanical and Electrical Engineers with BIM expertise

- High Performance Directors and Coaches for high-level sports organisations.

In addition, the following occupations will be removed from the Ineligible Occupations List and will be eligible for a General Employment Permit:

- Sheet metal workers

- Welding trades

- Pipefitters

- Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineers

- Shuttering Carpenters

- Glaziers, window fabricators & fitters

- Scaffolders, stagers & riggers

- Crane drivers

- Transport and Distribution Clerks and Assistants (Freight Forwarders; Cargo & Freight Agents; Brokerage Clerks) subject to a quota of 300

- Plasterers subject to a quota of 250

- Bricklayers subject to a quota of 250

Electricians are currently on the Ineligible Occupations List.  This may be reviewed in the future should the appropriate research and evidence indicate labour shortages across the EEA.

The views of the lead policy Government Department for the sector, in this case, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, are an important part of the decision-making process. 

The next review of the Occupations Lists is due to commence over the next few weeks with submissions to the next public consultation phase invited from interested parties. 

My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, has responsibility for the granting of immigration permissions and visas which allow non-EEA nationals to enter the State to reside and work.

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