Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will urgently include lineworkers on the critical skills occupation list as companies rolling out vital national infrastructure cannot source the qualified personnel to carry out this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22068/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The role of Lineworker is considered to fall under the Standard Occupational Classification code 5249 - Electrical and electronic trades which is currently on the ‘Ineligible Occupations List’ and, as such, cannot be considered for an employment permit.

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.

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.

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.

An occupation may be considered for inclusion in, or removal from the occupations lists on the basis of evidence submitted by the relevant sector representatives and 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.