Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether an engineering qualification entitles a person (details supplied) to obtain employment in this jurisdiction in an engineering capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46023/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Should a non-EEA national wish to take up employment in the State in an eligible role, they would require either a valid employment permit or an immigration permission from the Minister for Justice allowing them to reside and work in the State without the requirement for an employment permit.

A number of engineering occupations are eligible for an employment permit subject to a range of criteria as prescribed under the employment permits legislation. Such criteria include the requirement for an offer of employment from an employer in the State, minimum remuneration to be offered and the qualifications of the non-EEA applicant.

In order to be considered eligible for the grant of an employment permit in a regulated or protected profession, the non-EEA national must provide a copy of their registration with, or recognition of their qualifications by the appropriate regulatory body in the State with responsibility for the regulation of professionals working in the State in that role. Therefore, it would not be possible to grant an employment permit to a non-EEA national wishing to take up employment in an engineering role unless they are registered with or have their qualifications recognised by the Institute of Engineers Ireland.

Queries regarding the recognition of international qualifications or registration requirements should be addressed directly to the appropriate regulatory authority in the State for the role in question.

In line with the EU policy of Union preference, Ireland’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour from within Ireland and the EEA. Where this is not possible, the employment permits system facilitates recruitment of non-EEA nationals who possess the requisite in-demand skills or appropriate qualifications required to undertake the role in the State.

Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of upskilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.