Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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251. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the current housing crisis, if he has any plans to bring in qualified non-EU workers in the construction industry, such as plumbers, electricians, bricklayers and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10304/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The State operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is vacancy-led and driven by the changing needs of the labour market.

The 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 the recruitment of non-EEA nationals who possess the requisite in-demand skills.

The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible based on a surplus of those skills within Ireland and the EEA.

In order to support this critical sector, almost all construction related occupations are eligible for employment permits including plumbers, electricians, and bricklayers.

The employment permit system supports the continued development of the construction industry in the State. More employment permits were issued to the construction sector in 2024 than in any previous year, with 1,525 being issued. The top 5 roles in the sector in receipt of employment permits last year were, Civil Engineers, Carpenters, Welders, Construction Project Managers, and Quantity Surveyors.