Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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542. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty non-EEA doctors have accessing critical skills employment permits in Ireland; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that non-EEA doctors are not eligible for stamp 4 IRP unless they stay in Ireland for five years; if he is taking steps to remedy this to encourage doctors to stay and train in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47868/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There are now two types of employment permits available for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs). These are a General Employment Permit (GEP) and a Critical Skills Permit (CSEP). A critical skills permit may now be granted to an NCHD where an employer is offering employment for two years. Either permit can now be issued on a multi-site basis if required, subject to relevant conditions attached to both permits being met.

Occupations appearing on the Critical Skills Occupations List, including Medical Practitioners, are eligible to apply for the Critical Skills Employment Permit. This permit type is designed to attract highly skilled people into the labour market in roles identified as being in critical short supply with the aim of encouraging them to take up permanent residence and employment in the State. The qualification criteria for this permit includes a two-year job offer, a relevant third level qualification and a minimum remuneration of €32,000.

Individual contracts of employment and the type of employment permit applied for are matters between the employee and employer, in this case the HSE. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has agreed an arrangement with the HSE to facilitate multi-location rotations without requiring a new employment permit for each medical rotation.

All Critical Skills Employment Permit holders who are registered and working in the State on Stamp 1 for two years can apply to Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a verification letter. With this verification letter they can be registered on stamp 4.