Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The 2023 Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists delivered comprehensive changes to the employment permits system, with changes to 43 occupations.

Submissions to the review were subject to consideration by the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on Economic Migration Policy. The IDG consists of cross-departmental membership including the Department of Health, which has policy responsibility for the dental sector.

Over 100 submissions were received to the review covering a number of occupations in a range of sectors with one submission making reference to the role in question received from the Irish Dental Association. Following engagement with the Department of Health throughout the review process, and after much deliberation, the IDG concluded that the Irish Dental Association’s submission did not contain sufficient evidence to merit a change in the status of Dental Nurse on the occupations lists. Dental Nurse therefore remains ineligible for an employment permit at present.

My Department has since invited the Irish Dental Association to make a new evidence-based submission. I am mindful that the dentistry sector has experienced challenges in recent times. Should a further evidence-based case be made to my Department, it will be considered. As of today my Department has yet to receive a subsequent submission from the sector.