Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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188. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the abrupt implementation of substantial salary hikes for employment permits (details supplied) without adequate transitional measures for existing permit holders has plunged them into upheaval and despair, given that employers may not accommodate these increases, numerous families face the devastating prospect of job losses and being forced to uproot their lives in Ireland; if he will reconsider this change in thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23768/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The 2023 Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists and Review of Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) Reports have delivered comprehensive changes to the employment permits system, with changes to 43 occupations and the introduction of a Roadmap for increasing salary thresholds for employment permits. The first adjustments commenced on 17 January this year, and they affect new permit applications and renewal applications received from that date onwards.

The thresholds for most employment permits had not changed in almost a decade and were out of date, having not kept pace with wage inflation since 2014. Indeed, when introduced, the MAR threshold was 9% above National median annual earnings of €22,570 (as estimated by the CSO). In 2022, the MAR threshold was 40% below the national median annual earnings of €41,823.

The purpose of these increases was to mitigate risks associated with out-dated thresholds, such as the potential suppression of domestic wages, possible employment rights abuses and to ensure economic migrants have sufficient means to live in Ireland and to avail of the Department of Justice family reunification scheme. They also recognise the valuable contribution economic migrants make to this country and aim to ensure they have the means to make a decent life for themselves and their families.

It is also important to emphasise that the purpose of the Employment Permits System is to assists economic growth by facilitating the filling of key skills gaps which cannot be filled using domestic or EEA labour markets as opposed to facilitating access to cheap labour.

As mentioned above, the first adjustment on the Roadmap has now been made. The implementation of further increases across the remainder of the Roadmap will be subject to ongoing stakeholder consultation to include employers, employee advocacy groups and relevant Government Departments. This consultation is underway, and officials have held discussions with a number of sectoral employers in relation to the Roadmap. Officials have also engaged with the Migrant Rights Council of Ireland in relation supporting and protecting the rights and welfare of current permit holders who may have concerns regarding their continued employments under the Roadmap. This process will continue over the next number of months and all feedback received will inform future policy development in this area.