Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for his input. We are open to any suggestions or proposals and will work through any enhancements needed within the system. I do not think it should be a rigid system. It should be agile and flexible to meet the needs of our current labour market. If the general work permits or critical skill work permits are required, we actively update the needs analysis regarding which sectors do or do not require an increased quota. We need to put workers front and centre in terms of any inappropriate conditions they may be subjected to.

The Deputy is right that mobility in the sector is important. We have made additions to the nine-month eligibility requirement to move. We also need to ensure migrants are not moving from one sector to the same sector and facing challenges around where that employment is. If they are based in Dublin, the west or the south, there might be barriers to mobility, for example, family, schools, etc. I will work with the Deputy and the migrant community on that.

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