Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The occupations lists (Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupation List) for employment permits are currently being revised as part of an evidence-based review which incorporates a public consultation to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages.

The deliberative process is ongoing at present with Submissions to the review under consideration by the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on Economic Migration Policy. The IDG was convened in late October to oversee the review, consider all evidence and submissions and to collect the observations from Government departments including from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which has policy responsibility for agri-food occupations some of which have been subject to quota restrictions in recent times.

While the quota of employment permits in many occupations in this sector have been fully allocated, I can confirm that my Department received a number of submissions in relation to occupations within the sector by way of the public consultation which was open during the summer.

It is expected that a report will be finalised for my consideration by the end of the month following which any approved recommendations would be implemented through amendment to the Employment Permits regulations thereafter.