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

As the Deputy knows, we in the Department are well aware of how important the work permit system is to both businesses and Irish consumers. As the Deputy would have heard in debates earlier this morning, over 40,000 work permits were allocated last year. This year, the number will be around 38,000 for people outside the EEA. With full employment and more people at work than ever before, this obviously has huge benefits but it is also really important for businesses and consumers. In the healthcare sector, we have seen a huge amount of people come over, including over 5,000 nurses from outside the EEA as well as care assistants, doctors and much more.

What we are hearing from business is that it needs more occupations to be added to both the eligible and critical skills lists, making them eligible for permits. In response to this, as the Deputy has already heard, this summer the Department opened a review of the occupations eligible for work permits, in terms of both eligible and critical skills. The review closed in August, and given the demand for permits, we received over 100 submissions. This was over ten times what was received in previous reviews. I can confirm that there was a submission on dental nurses, and this is being reviewed in this light. The Irish Dental Association has also requested to meet with me. This has not yet taken place, and no direct meetings have taken place with any bodies due to the sheer volume of submissions received. As the Deputy might be aware, the Irish Dental Association is located in my constituency. I drive past its office quite regularly, so I am keen to have that meeting where we can facilitate it. Given the large quantities received, it is taking officials some time to work through all of these submissions.

Submissions to the review are considered by the interdepartmental group on economic migration policy, with membership drawn from key Departments including the Department of Health, which may provide observations. Our Department is actively engaging with other Departments, including the Department of Health, to consider submissions to the latest public consultation, which has concluded. The report containing recommendations for our consideration is expected in mid-November, and then we will be in a position to announce what changes are being made to the list. In short, we have received that submission. We are considering it at the moment, and we will announce it in mid-November.

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