Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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282. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the review of the critical skills occupations list and ineligible occupations list; whether the review will take into consideration the availability of housing in addition to the needs of the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13433/26]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s economic migration policy is designed to address verified and ongoing skills shortages across the economy. The system is vacancy-led and is managed through the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List, both of which are reviewed on a regular basis by my Department.

A new review of the occupation lists is currently under way. This review commenced with an open public consultation, which closed on 19 September and attracted a wide range of submissions, including from stakeholders in the construction and built-environment sectors. I would note that previous reviews have already resulted in a significant number of construction-related roles becoming eligible for employment permits, supporting increased housing delivery.

For the current review, my Department has worked in close cooperation with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that the employment permits system is aligned with the national objective of expanding housing supply. This engagement is focused on identifying pathways to ensure that occupations essential to improving housing output can access the permits system where justified.

In considering changes to the occupation lists, my Department assesses not only labour-market evidence but also wider whole-of-Government factors. These include the potential impact of inward migration on housing demand, transport, healthcare capacity, and other public services.

The Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group has now met and considered the available labour-market evidence and relevant departmental inputs. My Department is currently finalising the outcome of the review, and the updated occupation lists will be published in the coming weeks.

I remain committed to ensuring that the employment permits system continues to be responsive, evidence-based and aligned with key national priorities, including the delivery of housing.