Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I know the Tánaiste's Department leads on the oversight of work permits from non-EU and non-EEA countries. I have engaged on this specific issue previously with the Minister of State, Deputy English. The critical skills occupation list was last updated in June 2022, relatively recently, but is there sufficient cross-departmental engagement on addressing specific skills shortages in particular areas? In this case I am referring specifically to a shortage of bus drivers and the difficulty getting work permits for people who are adequately qualified and ready to come here to provide services but who are unable to do so because they are unable to access the correct permits. Do we have any plans to review that list or to engage in a cross-departmental way to make sure we are addressing skills shortages that exist in our economy?

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