Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are many lessons that the pandemic has taught us, one of which is the value of migrant labour to Ireland, be it people from Brazil or people from central and eastern Europe coming to Ireland to take up employment. That labour has been significantly reduced in large part by the travel restrictions that were in place and the number of flights that were cancelled or air services that are no longer flying. With international travel, including aviation, reopening, there will be increased opportunities to source labour and skills from abroad once again through the employment permit system. A review is under way and is nearing completion. We expect it to be completed within the next two weeks by around mid-October. At that point, the Minister of State, Deputy English, will be able to make an announcement.

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