Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details on the public consultation his Department recently led with regard to general work permits; when a review of general work permits will commence following on from the public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22153/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform you that the Consultation on Increases to Employment Permit Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) Thresholds closed in January 2025 after significant engagement. The consultation attracted a total of over 150 responses that were received from across a broad range of sectors, including from employers, permit holders, trade unions and representative bodies.

The consultation questions covered the impacts of the first increases in 2024, the potential impacts of future increases, sector-specific observations or considerations, as well as any potential suggestions or areas of development. These respondents provided in-depth information on the impact of the first increases, risks or benefits associated with future plans as well as any potential alterations to the Roadmap they saw as being beneficial.

The Agri-food, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors were the sectors with the most submissions and approximately 25% of these submissions were from the Agri-Food sector while over 20% of these submissions came from the Health Care Sector. The information received in these submissions has been utilised to inform the content and direction of the related review.

The review of increases to the minimum annual remuneration for employment permits is well advanced. I have been informed by officials from my Department that the report of this review will be ready for my consideration very soon. This review will give due consideration to the information gathered during the consultation process, extensive engagement my Department has had with external stakeholders since the 2024 increase to the MAR and reflects current labour market conditions.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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137. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the process being put in place to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to "examine ways to facilitate people who are on work permits to move jobs more easily and legally, while protecting the integrity of the immigration system"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22221/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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A well-functioning labour market and good working conditions are essential components of sustainable and inclusive growth. As part of the efforts to maintain this, the Government operates a managed employment permits system which is highly responsive to labour market needs. I recognise the valuable role migrant workers play in Irish society, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare and ICT. 2024 saw significant progress in implementing changes to the employment permits system to address the commitments now set out in the Programme for Government.

The Employment Permits Act 2024 introduced several improvements to the employment permits system, making it more flexible. This includes the provision of a new change of employer process facilitating permit holders to move jobs more easily. Permit holders on the two main permit types can change to a new employer under their existing permit after a period of nine months has passed since commencing their first employment permit in the State. This has made it significantly easier for permit holders to seek more favourable working conditions and encourages employers to provide such conditions.

The change of employer option applies to the General Employment Permit and the Critical Skills Employment Permit. General Employment Permit holders can apply to change to a different employer for the same role they are already working in. For example, a meat processing operative must take up the same role. Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can change to another employer across a broader category of employments, for example, different engineering roles. Critical Skills Employment Permit holders have additional flexibility as their roles are identified on the Critical Skills Occupations List as being in high demand for sectors crucial to the functioning of society.

Processing times for change of employer applications currently take 1-2 days, ensuring that permit holders are not unduly delayed in changing employers. The new employment permits application and processing system which was launched on Monday of this week will provide a more user-friendly interface which will ensure that permit holders can continue to access the change of employer option.

Exceptions to the 9-month timeframe are considered by my Department, in cases where the permit holder is experiencing employment rights violations.

The 2024 Act further ensures that employment permit holders have greater flexibility and the same access to job progression and recognition as their EEA colleagues by allowing for promotions and internal transfer within their existing permit. This reduces the administrative burden for companies and permit holders and reduces the risk of accidental non-compliance with employment permits legislation.

Officials from my Department will continue to monitor the employment permits system to ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of the labour market.