Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department administers the employment permits system which enables employers to employ suitably qualified non EEA nationals in roles deemed eligible for an employment permit where the requisite skills or labour are not currently available in the domestic/EEA labour market.

The role of primary or secondary teacher is currently eligible for the General Employment Permit subject to criteria including minimum remuneration and qualifications requirements.

Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term.

The Occupational Lists (Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupation List) for employment permits identify roles that are either in known short supply or are ineligible for an employment permit at the present time. The Lists are subject to evidence-based review incorporating consideration of available research, and a public consultation which provides stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages.

Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from key Government Departments who may provide observations on the occupations under review.

My Department is currently considering submissions received to the latest public consultation to review the Occupations Lists which was open between June and August of this year with recommendations for approval expected in November. I can confirm that my Department did not receive any submissions in relation to the eligibility of the occupation of Teacher.