Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
24. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request his Department to place therapy staff on the critical skills list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18786/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to place therapy staff on the critical skills list in view of the fact that children's disability network teams are currently well below their 100% staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18785/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 81 together.
Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo regular, evidence-based reviews which are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments, in this case the Department of Health.
Occupations on the critical skills list are eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit which attracts a remuneration threshold of €32,000 per annum where the non-EEA national holds a degree, and €64,000 per annum where the non-EEA national has the relevant experience.
A number of therapy professionals are currently listed on the Ineligible Occupations List and therefore not eligible for the grant of an employment permit.
Occupations not appearing on the ineligible occupations list may be eligible for the General Employment Permit which is the primary vehicle used by the State to attract third country nationals in occupations with minimum annual remuneration thresholds of generally €30,000 but with some lower rates as exceptions for certain sectors. The General Employment Permit is also subject to a Labour Market Needs Test, demonstrating that the employer was unable to fill the position from the Irish and EEA labour market.
My Department will continue to review the employment permits system on a bi-annual basis in light of changing labour market circumstances and intends to launch the next review of the Occupations List shortly.
