Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
35. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine the request by an organisation (details supplied) in December 2020 to add this profession to the critical skills occupation list for employment permit purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5946/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.
The system is, by design, vacancy led and managed through the operation of the occupation lists: the critical skills list in respect of skills that are in critical shortage in the labour market and the ineligible occupations lists for which a ready source of labour is available from within Ireland and the EEA.
Changes to the employment permit occupations lists are made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, genuine skills shortage exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.
The occupations lists are subject to twice yearly evidence-based review and take account of research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SOLAS) and the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), a public consultation process, input from the relevant policy Departments and the Economic Migration Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by the Department. Account is also taken of contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID 19.
The occupation of Physiotherapist is currently eligible for a Sports and Cultural Employment Permit if the employment is affiliated to a sporting organisation.
Consideration of the submissions received in the most recent review is underway. A submission has been received from the organisation concerned and will be considered in consultation with the Department of Health as well as the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by this Department. The review will be finalised in February 2021.
