Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
21. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date on which he reviewed the critical skills list; and his plans to expand the list to address skills shortages in Ireland. [43200/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine roles that are either in critical short supply, or, are ineligible for an employment permit where evidence suggests a supply of labour may be available in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, the reviews of the lists are guided by relevant research and a public/stakeholder consultation. The views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group and relevant policy Departments are also taken into consideration. The aim of the Group is to promote an integrated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages being experienced in the economy which includes assessing proposals received through the public consultation.
Changes to the occupations lists may be made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, a genuine skills shortage exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem, and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.
Ireland's employment permit system is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps for the benefit of our economy, in the short to medium term, but this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The timing of the next review is under consideration in light of changing labour market circumstances. Submissions will be invited from sector representative bodies and interested parties via the Public Consultation Form which will be accessible on the Department’s website throughout the consultation period when the next Review of the Occupational Lists commences.
