John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of critical skills employment permits applications refused in 2024; to detail the reasons provided for the refusal of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6810/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that 628 applications for Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEP) were refused in 2024, and 17,168 CSEPS were granted.

The Employment Permits legislation sets out the criteria which must be satisfied in order for an Employment Permit to be issued. The legislation sets out both mandatory and discretionary reasons for refusal of an employment permits (sections 32 and 33 of the EP legislation).

The Employment Permits section has provided a list of the most common reasons for refusal of a critical skills employment permit application which are set out below:

• the role applied for is not on the Critical Skills Occupation List
• The applicant doesn’t possess a relevant third level degree
• Contract or Documentation issues
• Salary below the minimum threshold
• Immigration Issues.