Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 18 April 2024, for an update on plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupation list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23074/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As I have previously outlined, following engagement with the Department of Health - which has policy responsibility for the dental sector - the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy concluded that the Irish Dental Association's submission to the 2023 review of the Occupations Lists did not contain sufficient evidence to support a change in the status of Dental Nurse in respect of its eligibility for employment permits.

My Department has since then invited the Irish Dental Association to provide a new evidence-based submission on the case for a change in the status of Dental Nurse.

While a follow-up submission has yet to be received, I understand that engagement between the Department and the Irish Dental Association is continuing.