Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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358. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of occupations (details supplied) that have been recruited from outside the EU since these occupations were added to the critical skills occupations list; if an incentive package has been put in place to attract these occupations from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35370/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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An efficient and responsive Employment Permit system is a critical component to ensure that talent is attracted to Ireland from non-EEA countries.

In June 2022, changes were introduced to the eligible occupations lists to help alleviate skills shortages in the health sector. The roles of psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, and therapy professional (Orthoptist) were added to the critical skills permit list, the permit type used to attract highly skilled professionals into employment in the state.

The table below provides details of the number of Employment Permit applications issued, refused and withdrawn, in respect of the above-mentioned occupations by my Department since June 2022.

Officials in my Department are in regular contact with officials in the Department of Justice on the issue of labour market access as part of wider collaboration on economic migration and talent attraction.