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

The Minister of State, Deputy English, who is responsible for work permits and work visas, is examining that matter at the moment. It is a good idea on the face of it but not as straightforward as we might like it to be. Unlike, for example, nursing or other professions, it is not fully registered or regulated either abroad or here. When a nurse or a doctor comes from overseas, for example, from India or the Philippines, we know who they are and we know who regulates them here. That is not so straightforward with home care. That is the conundrum at the moment and we are working on it. We believe it is part of the solution. It would also help the sector to have an employment regulation order to set minimum terms and conditions and raise the standards of pay for people who work in the care sector. We will not solve the problem of recruitment through immigration alone.

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