Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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331. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline his plans to add skilled construction workers to the critical skills occupational list given the requirement for this discipline currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44471/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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My department recognises the importance of supporting a dynamic and experienced workforce for this critically important sector. In recent years my department has expanded the number of construction sector roles eligible for an employment permit and the number of roles on the Critical Skills Occupation List. In the 2023 review of the occupation lists governing the issuance of employment permits, many of the roles added to the Critical Skills Occupation List were in support of the construction industry, with the roles of Project Engineer, BIM Manager, Commercial Manager, BIM Coordinator/Technician, and Estimator all added to the Critical Skills Occupation List in December 2023. At the same time, some construction roles were removed from the Ineligible Occupations List, with electrical contractors, electrical engineers and electricians now being eligible for a General Employment Permit. Any role not on the Ineligible Occupations List is eligible for a General Employment Permit.

The number of employment permits issued to the construction sector this year is forecast to be slightly higher than last year, when over 1,300 permits were issued to the sector. The most common permits issued both last year and this year to date for the construction sector were for the roles of civil engineer, carpenter and joiner, and welding trades.

Where a sector wishes to have a role added to the Critical Skills Occupation List, the sector should make an evidenced-based submission that demonstrates a long-term shortage of suitable, highly skilled workers for the role. This should be supported by the department with lead responsibility for the sector, in this case the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). The Minimum Annual Remuneration for a Critical Skills Employment Permit is €38,000 where the permit holder has a degree-level qualification relevant to the role. Where the role is not on the Critical Skills Occupation List, or the permit holder does not have a relevant qualification, a Critical Skills Employment Permit may still be issued, subject to a Minimum Annual Remuneration of €64,000.