Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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256. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current number of work permits allocated for motor/auto mechanics; the number therein of the car mechanic quota and of the HGV/bus mechanic quota that have been issued; if he has any plans to review those quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36898/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Following the recent Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists. a number of new quotas were introduced to provide General Employment Permit (GEP) access for certain previously ineligible occupations. The roles of motor/auto mechanics, car mechanics, and HGV/Bus mechanics were among the roles made available for permit under quota.

The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that up to the 16^th of September 2024, 205 permits for Car Mechanics have issued, out of a quota of 206. Of the 200 permits made available for HGV/Bus Mechanic, 112 have issued.

Regarding your query on whether there are any plans to review these quotas. I am informed that extensions to employment permit quotas may be considered as appropriate where the sector has provided an evidenced-based submission that demonstrates a continuing need for access to employment permits for these roles. This should be supported by the department with lead responsibility for the sector, which in this case is the Department of Transport.

I welcome any such submission from the sector and affirm that officials from my department will engage constructively with the submission, and the Department of Transport, if a submission is made.