John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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148. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline his plans to relax the rules on work visas for certain categories of qualified persons where there is a shortage in the economy such as HGV drivers, mechanics, chefs, medical professionals, specialist hair stylists and so on; the number of visas issued in the past three years to date; the categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58575/22]

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 system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.

In order to maintain the relevance of the lists to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo evidence-based reviews which are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) of my Department, SOLAS and by a public consultation.

Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments represented on the IDG. The timing of the next Review of the Occupational Lists is being kept under consideration.

Outside of the full review process my Department continues to be in contact with other relevant policy departments to address particular labour market challenges as they arise. My Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances.

Information on Employment Permits issued in the past three years is provided in tabular form attached.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any further routes of appeal open to a person (details supplied) to obtain an employment permit. [58580/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that on the 3^rdof November 2022 the appeal in respect of this application (details supplied) was refused by the appeals officer. The refusal reasons were explained in detail in the refusal letter that issued to the applicant. The applicant was also advised that a 90% refund of the fee paid would be refunded on receipt of the completed electronic funds transfer mandate form which was issued with the refusal decision.

Once the reviewing officer has made a decision in respect of an appeal, it is not possible for this decision to be revisited.