Written answers
Thursday, 29 September 2022
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Work Permits
Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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63. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will extend the remit of the eligible countries for work permits in order to attract bus drivers from third countries, given the acute shortage of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47818/22]
Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps for the benefit of our economy, in the short to medium term, and 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. The system is vacancy led and eligibility is not determined by either sector or country of origin.
The role of Bus Driver is on the Ineligible Occupations List and, as such, an employment permit cannot be granted for this occupation.
Issues relating to mutual recognition and validation of driving licences should be addressed to the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority who have policy responsibility for this sector.
Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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64. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a State agency has been granted work permits for drivers from a third country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47819/22]
Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that there are no permit applications in the system in respect of the company concerned for drivers from the country specified. In the past, however my Department issued 6 permits for the role of driver in respect of the nationality concerned, the most recent having issued in 2009.
The role of a bus driver is currently listed on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits, positions in respect of which an employment permit shall not be granted. Details of the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits is available on the Department's website and can be accessed through this link: Ineligible List of Occupations - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
The role of a HGV driver is an eligible occupation for an employment permit provided the legislative criteria for the permit type is met and the individual concerned is in possession of a valid CE or C1E driving licence. Information in relation to HGV drivers is also available on the Department's website through this link: Employment Permits for HGV Drivers - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
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