Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for joining us and for making their submissions. I have three questions and one comment, which are directed primarily to Dr. McGann and Ms Redmond. There can be no doubting the labour demand in the sectors that the witnesses have identified, including care, manufacturing and agrifood, over the coming years. I want to focus on care. In the witnesses' submission, there is a depiction of care as low-skilled labour. It is important to acknowledge at this committee that there has been a significant push in recent years to professionalise care, especially by SIPTU with regard to healthcare assistants, and all those coming into that role would have FETAC level 5 qualifications.

In the context of the lower-skilled occupations visa used in Canada and the essential skills work visa in New Zealand to which our guests refer, the only requirements are effectively the equivalent of the leaving certificate or two years' specific experience. What is IBEC's attitude or position with regard to the professionalisation of care and those working in the care sector? Does IBEC believe that it is acceptable to have people working in the sector with skills below the level currently required of those coming in as healthcare assistants in what it is proposing here?