Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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According to the latest employment figures from the CSO’s Labour Force Survey, published on 24th August 2023, total employment stood at 2.63 million. There are now more people employed in Ireland than ever before. As per the CSO Statistical Release on Monthly Unemployment from early November, the seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate was 4.8% in October 2023.

It is essential that Irish enterprise has access to an adequate pool of high quality, adaptable and flexible talent – in particular in the context of a tightened labour market. In order to meet the demand for skills, there is close collaboration across Government, in particular between the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, its agencies and my Department, as well as between Government, industry, and the education and training system, in order to build and retain a highly skilled workforce to serve the needs of the economy.

My Department is also working closely with the Department of Social Protection in implementing Pathways to Work, the national employment strategy, and with it the labour market activation of the unemployed, groups underrepresented in the workforce, and workers transitioning to more viable roles or sectors across the economy. A mid-term review of the actions and commitments in the Pathways to Work strategy is under way at present to ensure they remain relevant and effective in improving the employment prospects and outcomes for people under-represented in the labour market.

My Department also operates an employment permits system which is highly responsive to areas of identified skills needs and labour shortages across the economy. The system is, by design, driven by the changing needs of the labour market. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the critical skills and ineligible occupations lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit.

My Department is currently in the process of finalising a review of the occupations lists following extensive engagement with industry representatives and stakeholders on the nature and extent of skills shortages. Demand for employment permits in Ireland is currently extremely high, with over 37,000 permits expected to be issued by the end of the year, providing another valuable stream of skilled labour for the Irish economy.