Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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369. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans, if any, to update the critical skills list with the inclusion of hairdressing as meeting the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2468/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term.

As part of the managed employment permits system, Ireland operates the Occupations Lists: the Ineligible Occupations List (IOL) and the Critical Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The IOL identifies occupations for which there is sufficient workforce in the State. The CSOL lists occupations for which there is a sustained shortage in respect of qualifications, experience or skills which are required for the proper functioning of the economy. The occupation of hairdressers, along with barbers and related occupations, is currently on the IOL and, as such, an employment permit cannot be granted at present for this occupation.

The Occupations Lists are subject to evidence-based reviews incorporating consideration of available research and a public consultation which provides stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from lead policy departments for the sectors specifically related to these occupations.

Outside of the formal reviews of the Occupations Lists, a sector can make a submission at any time to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with support from the department with lead policy responsibility for the sector.

An occupation may be considered for inclusion in, or removal from, the Occupations Lists under the following conditions: evidence supports that no suitable Irish/EEA nationals are available to undertake the work; development opportunities are not undermined; genuine skills shortages exist; and recruitment or retention issues are affected by factors other than salary and/or employment conditions.

The next review of the lists is scheduled to commence later in 2025. Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to register their interest to receive notification on the Employment Permits page of the Department's website.