Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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618. To ask the Minister for Health the outcome of discussions held with the nursing home sector regarding difficulties in recruiting staff and possible changes to employment permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30681/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for the employment permit system rests with my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. In order to amend the policies underpinning the current system, it must be demonstrated that recruitment difficulties are due to shortages and not to factors such as pay and/or working conditions. It is important therefore that a detailed business case, which sets out the necessary data and evidence to justify the need for the nursing home sector to go outside the EEA to find workers, is provided.

Officials from my Department have agreed to meet with Nursing Homes Ireland, along with officials from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (who are currently reviewing the policies underpinning the current employment permits system) to focus on this matter. A date will be agreed shortly.