Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions. Will the move to regularise the position of undocumented people in Ireland require additional changes in work permit legislation? Primary responsibility falls probably to the Department of Justice. Will we need to do that?

I would like to follow up on areas of scarcity where initiatives to develop apprenticeships have been tried. How extensive has the developing of apprenticeships in areas of shortage been? One for butchery was developed but recruitment for it was not that successful. How much is the Department doing in that area of developing apprenticeships in areas of skills shortage?

What rights do seasonal workers obtain? In the current climate where undoubtedly there is big pressure on care needs, is the Department applying seasonality, or will people who come here meeting care needs have permanency? How does that work?

I note the restrictions on special circumstances permits. There is a proposal to cap this and have the prescription published. Will there be transparency ex post to see how this is applied in practice? While competitiveness is used, will the Department apply tests like compassionate needs to applications for special circumstances permits?