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 system is vacancy-lead and designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill 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 lists are subject to regular, evidenced-based review incorporating available research and a public consultation, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to submit information and perspectives on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Account is taken of educational outputs, sectoral upskilling and known contextual factors, such as the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis, and their impact on the labour market. Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from key Government Departments including the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Mediawho, as lead policy department for the sector, may provide observations on the occupations under review.

In response to requests from the hospitality sector over the last number of years, my Department introduced a number of changes to widen access to the General Employment Permit for occupations in the sector. All grades of Chef have been eligible for the General Employment Permit since 2019, with restrictions such as a quota or limit per establishment also removed. Experienced Executive Chefs, Head Chefs, Sous Chefs, Chefs de Partie and Commis Chefs can apply for a General Employment Permit to work in a restaurant establishment, at a remuneration level of at least €30,000. My Department has processed over 2,000 employment permit applications from chefs since the start of May 2022.

Further changes were announced in October 2021, following engagement from the hospitality sector, introducing a new quota of 350 General Employment Permits for catering and bar managers, hotel and accommodation managers, restaurant and catering establishment managers as well as publicans and managers of licensed premises. Of this quota, 293 permits remain available.

The timing of the next Review of the Occupations List is currently under consideration. When open, submissions will be invited from sector representative bodies and other interested parties via the Public Consultation Form which will be accessible on the Department’s website.