Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
172. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason that the ineligible list of occupations for employment permits precludes the 3,231 persons denoted as youth and community workers from receiving employment permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52060/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland 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 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, and 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.
The occupation of Youth and Community Worker is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and therefore an employment permit cannot be granted for this role. Changes to the employment permit occupations lists are made where no suitable Irish/EEA nationals are available and the skills shortage is a genuine one - rather than a recruitment or retention problem, where development opportunities would not be undermined and where Government education, training and economic development policies are supported.
The Occupations Lists undergo periodic review and a public/stakeholder consultation. Submissions seeking changes to the lists will be invited from sector representative bodies and interested parties via the Public Consultation Form when the next Review of the Occupational Lists commences.
My Department chairs the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group to oversee the review process which includes membership drawn from senior officials of key policy departments including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who have policy responsibility for this sector. The aim of the Group is to promote an integrated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages being experienced in the economy. This includes assessing proposals received through the public consultation for changes to the Occupations Lists.
