Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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535.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of work permits issued to bus drivers from non-EU and non-EEA states since the changes made in December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30999/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In December 2022, changes to the employment permits system were announced to help address the skills shortages in Ireland’s Transport sector. These changes included the introduction of a quota of 1,500 General Employment Permits in respect of Bus and Coach drivers.

The Employment Permits section of my Department informs me that as of the 17^thof July 2024 there have been a total of 314 general employment permits applications received in respect of this role. Of these 306 have been issued 3 were refused and 5 were withdrawn.

My Department continues to actively respond to the concerns raised by various sectors with regard to skills shortages in key roles across the economy.