Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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63. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request his Department to place speech and language therapists and occupational therapists on the critical skills list; if the review of the occupations list has concluded; if he will report on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44558/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine roles that are either in critical short supply or are ineligible for an employment permit.

These lists undergo regular, evidence-based review, guided by relevant research, a public/stakeholder consultation and the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group and relevant policy Departments including the Department of Health.

In June this year I announced changes to help alleviate some of the ongoing skills shortages in the health sector by adding the occupations of Speech & Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist to the Critical Skills Occupations List. These roles are now eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit which is the employment permit type used to attract highly skilled professionals into the State to reside and take up employment in key occupations.

The Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances.