Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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495. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of healthcare assistants who have been granted a general employment permit since changes to the scheme in 2021, which set the minimum salary at €27,000; the number of these workers who have the relevant level 5 qualifications required under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18226/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The table shows the total number of general employment permits that have been granted by my Department to non-EEA Healthcare Assistants from 14 June 2021 to 13 April 2023.

The framework agreed with the Department of Health for the role of Healthcare Assistant included the requirement for the permit holder to achieve a relevant Level 5 Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) qualification after two years in the State. The Department does not monitor the uptake of these courses during the two years of the permit, but this information will be requested when the applicants renew their permit. There have been no renewal applications submitted to date.