Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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88. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the additional quota of 500 visas for home carers that were due to be released on 2 September 2024 will be approved and made available; if he is aware that a number of organisations providing home care have appointments pending the approval of these visas, and that the delay is putting additional pressures on services and leaving vulnerable people without the home care services they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39214/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Following discussions between my Department and the Department of Health, with consideration of the findings of a recent strategic review of the sector, I approved the extension of the quota of General Employment Permits for the role of Care Worker/Home Carer by 500. The change was effective from Monday 2nd September.

The extension of the quota coincides with the commencement of the Employment Permits Act 2024 which brings some changes to the employment permit system. These include changes to the labour market needs test, changing employer and progression within the role. An information note is available at this link detailing the main changes taking place.

Regarding applications that were received after the expiry of the previous quota, , I have been informed by my officials that, as these applications have been returned and refunded in line with employment permit policy, they must be submitted again in order to be processed.