Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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18. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on work his Department has done in relation to reviewing the work permits scheme and its conditions on family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6608/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Family reunification policy for non-EEA nationals falls within the remit of the Department of Justice. Consequently, I can confirm that my Department does not apply conditions to family reunification through the employment permit system.

I do, however, acknowledge that the minimum salaries for which an employment permit can be issued are an important factor in family reunification.

With that in mind, a significant amount of work has been undertaken to better align the minimum salary thresholds for employment permits with family reunification requirements.

For instance, in January last year, the minimum salary thresholds for most employment permit types were increased for the first time in a decade. In fact, the median salary for a worker on a general employment permit increased by 13% in 2024. These increases applied to all roles, with the exception of Health Care Assistants, Home Carers and Care workers. A deferral of 12 months was facilitated to take account of the particular funding mechanism for that sector and the desire to ensure continuity of critical health and social care services. Additional health funding was secured in the Budget to facilitate the new minimum threshold of €30,000 which came into effect on 17th January.

These higher Employment Permit minimum thresholds recognise the valuable contribution economic migrants make to this country and ensure they have the means to make a decent life for themselves. They also meet the family reunification threshold for spousal reunification as set by the Department of Justice.

Under the Employment Permits Act 2024, minimum salaries for employment permits must increase in line with increases in average weekly earnings in the state. This will prevent any future stagnation of employment permit salary thresholds. Additionally, a review of the impact of the 2024 increases to the salary minimums is underway and this review will give due consideration to the Department of Justice’s family reunification policy.

My understanding is that this policy is currently under review by the Department of Justice, and that my officials are actively engaged in this process in order to facilitate a whole-of-government approach that ensures Ireland remains an attractive destination for highly skilled workers and their families.