James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Gallagher, Boyhan, Ahearn and Wall for their contributions. I will address a couple of issues. No occupations are prohibited. Ireland has the discretion to add or remove vacancies that suit our particular economic needs, but it is important to point out that these occupations will be kept under review. While the EU talent pool will primarily facilitate the offer of a job, which is an essential prerequisite in order to apply for an employment permit and immigration permission, all of the other thresholds will still be there. Someone will still have to apply for a permit, get immigration permission and have background checks carried out. There is also the 50:50 rule in respect of jobs that cannot be filled from within the EEA. As such, there are many restrictions.

If other EU countries are a part of this, then skilled people from third countries will go there to access jobs. If we are not a part of it, then we could be left behind in terms of attracting very skilled people. For this reason, being a part of it is important. We face recruitment challenges, and this will help to attract the talent we need.

Regarding beneficiaries of temporary protection, Ukrainians are covered by the directive and, while it is in place, can access employment across the EU via European employment services and platforms. Ireland, through its national co-ordination office and network providers, is providing a recruitment service. We have many talented Ukrainians in our country. I know that, as many of them came to Rosslare. They include many highly educated women, but because their husbands were fighting in the war, they brought their older parents and children with them and are finding it difficult to access the workplace due to practical reasons, for example, the childcare needs that many parents face. We need to recognise the real talent that exists in this country in the form of the Ukrainian community. We also need to recognise the strengths and advantages they have brought us.

The proposal to establish an EU talent pool will support the recruitment of jobseekers from third countries by EU-based employers in occupations where there are shortages within the EU. The ultimate aim of the proposal is to reduce barriers to international recruitment for EU employers and to promote safe and legal pathways and opportunities for jobseekers from third countries who have the skills needed to address EU-wide skills shortages. Opting in to this proposal at the outset will enable Ireland to fully engage in the negotiations and vote on it. The EU talent pool is an important aspect of the EU’s new skills and talent mobility package, which aims to make the EU more attractive to workers from third countries. It will further support our economic needs.

Ireland has engaged in negotiations on the proposed recast of the single permit directive, which would unify the application process for employment permits. To work in Ireland currently, a person from outside the EEA must first make an application for an employment permit and then make a second application for an immigration permission. The single permit directive will bring together the issue in a single employment and residence permission, reducing the burden on applicants in processing applications. We have all encountered situations where employers believed they had the critical skill employee coming to Ireland only to hit a roadblock with the visa application. With the Minister, Deputy Coveney, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, intends to bring a memo to the Government on this issue by the end of March.

Ireland is also engaged in discussions at EU level on the related and complementary EU talent partnership initiative, which is another part of the EU’s new skills and talent mobility package. Much of this has to do with providing people with legal pathways to come to the EU. Providing people with those pathways also forms part of how we tackle human trafficking into Europe.

Like the EU talent pool, the talent partnership initiative is voluntary, with agreements formulated bilaterally between member states and third countries and support provided by the Commission to maximise economies of scale. Unlike the EU talent pool, the talent partnership initiative does not have a legislative basis and, therefore, Ireland is not required to opt in. The Government is closely following the development of these partnerships by other member states.

The EU talent pool has great potential to support Ireland and other EU member states. Therefore, I hope the House can support the exercise of Ireland’s opt-in in respect of this measure. I note the Senators’ support for the proposal.