Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he last reviewed the ineligible list of occupations for employment permits; and his plans to reduce the list to address skills shortages of dental nurses and dental hygienists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14417/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department keeps the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances and outside of the full review process the Department continues to be in contact with relevant policy departments and other stakeholders to address particular challenges as they arise.

My Department actively responds to the concerns raised by various sectors with regard to the critical short supply of skills in a number of roles and this has been highlighted by the number of amendments made to the Employment Permits Regulations over the last two years, with sectors, including the health sector, provided with access to employment permits.

During 2021 and 2022 key occupations in the health sector were prioritised for eligibility with a number of critical care occupations added to the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL) such as Cardiac Physiologist, Medical Scientist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Podiatrist/Chiropodist, Psychologist, Pharmacist and Speech & Language Therapist.  Health Care Assistants were also provided with access to permits by removing the role from the IOL in 2021. 

Until recently, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors had to apply for a General Employment Permit for each new contract. My Department worked with the Department of Health and introduced a new 2-year multi-site General Employment permit for non-EEA doctors eliminating the requirement for a new permit for each 6-month rotation, thereby reducing the administrative burden on the Department, the HSE, hospitals and doctors. These changes have made Ireland a more attractive destination for highly skilled healthcare professionals.

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 led and managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL) and the Ineligible Occupations List (IOL).  The Lists undergo periodic evidence-based review involving a public/stakeholder consultation and are informed by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and SOLAS Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU.  Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Policy Interdepartmental Group which is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from a number of relevant policy Departments including the Department of Health. In framing policy regarding employment permits, consideration is given to wider policy instruments that are also available in meeting the challenges presented by skills shortages.

While oral health occupations such as Dental Technician and Dental Nurse are currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and ineligible for permits, the occupation of Dental Hygienist is eligible. An occupation may be considered for inclusion on the Critical Skills Occupations List or removal from the Ineligible Occupations List provided:

- there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work;

- development opportunities for Irish/EEA nationals are not undermined;

- genuine skills shortage exists and that it is not a recruitment or retention problem;

- education, training, employment and economic development policies are supported; and

- the skill shortage exists across the occupation, despite attempts by industry to train and attract Irish/EEA nationals to available jobs.

Sectors are also required to engage structurally with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.