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

On Deputy Stanton's point, it is the policy position of this Department that we agree with the points the Deputy has made. We are in discussion with the Department of Justice to try to move towards that. We received quite a number of correspondence and it relates to the points made by Deputy Creed on the entitlements of family members. There will be engagement going on between my Department, the Department of Justice and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. While we have to make sure this is equitable and does not diminish the entitlements of other Irish citizens, I believe there is a way to do it, because there is no point in issuing a work permit to someone on a critical skill and then have him or her leave after four or five months because his or her family cannot settle or access the labour market. We are not in the interest of blocking access.

In my remaining time, I will address the points made by Deputy Barry and by Deputy Nash, who I think made a supplementary on this. I met representatives of Nursing Homes Ireland but the decision had already been taken. No announcement was made. We responded to a press query.

On the timeline of deferral, it is my intention that we will be moving this up as soon as possible. I would like to see that done in the next two months at the very latest. While I will be moving this up by 17 January 2025, I hope and intend to have it done long before. As for spouses joining them, until they get up to €30,000 that is not possible and that is why we want to move it up to €30,000. I am well aware of the issues. Unbeknownst to Deputy Barry, I was a healthcare assistant in a former life for a number of years. I was a card-carrying trade union member as a health assistant. I am very aware of the issues. I met both of the groups. I have engaged with the group Deputy Barry asked me to meet and the other group thoroughly, and we will continue to engage with them over the next six weeks as we move to moving them up to the €30,000 as soon as possible. I think that answers Deputy Nash's point as well.

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