Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he last reviewed the critical skills list; if his Department has plans to address the national skills shortages in science, engineering, healthcare and social care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23170/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is responsible for operating Ireland's managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. Our system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-European Economic Area nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages in the State required to develop and support enterprise.

The employment permits system is vacancy led and driven by the changing needs of the labour market. It is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists. These lists determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit and are subject to periodic evidenced-based review to ensure the system is functioning as needed.

The most recent review of the Employment Permits Occupations Lists, including the Critical Skills List, ran from June to December 2023.

The associated public consultation received over 100 evidence-based submissions from a broad range of stakeholder. Submissions were subject to a robust review involving insight from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS. They were also assessed by the relevant Government departments and the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy.

The outcome of the Review culminated in the largest ever expansion of the employment permits system, with 11 roles added to the Critical Skills Occupations List and 32 roles made eligible for a General Employment Permit. Roles in chemical and project engineering, modern methods of construction, and across a range of health and social care services were added to the lists of occupations for which permits are granted. These changes will be of significant benefit to Irish businesses and society.

The date of the next review of the Employment Permits Occupations List is currently under consideration.