Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are a couple of good ideas there. I say to Deputy Ó Murchú that the Department would be more than happy to support foreign recruitment drives in any sector where we have a massive gap of talent, but in particular in this one. It has been done in the past, in the wider healthcare sector. We should all be supportive of bringing good, talented people into this country to provide vital services. On the 50:50 rule mentioned by Deputy O'Sullivan, it is important to stress that it does not refer to domestic-based workers. It states that 50% have to be from the European Union or the European Economic Area, so it is not just Irish-based or Irish naturalised citizens. The 50:50 rule is there for a good purpose. It is there for historic reasons, to make sure this system cannot be abused. There is a degree of flexibility. However, the notion that an employer setting up shop can bring in 100% of the workers from outside the European Union is of serious concern, not just to workers already here, but to the economic model.

On the pay threshold and incomes for home care support, the minimum salary starts at €30,000. It is a good starting salary. It is quite a bit above minimum wage. However, would increasing that attract more applicants into the country to fill the positions? I argue that it probably would not. We need to work more closely with the private operators, and those who have the franchises, to see how they can fill those gaps. Seven months is not that long in political terms. However, when it comes sourcing and identifying staff, putting them in employment and bringing them over from places like India or the Philippines, seven months is not a particularly long time. This is usually a six to 12-week process alone. I am optimistic we will see a lot more of these work permits filled through the second half of the year. It behoves all of us to pay an active part in it.

See this speech in context