Written Answers Nos. 321-328
321. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of work permits issued in relation to positions in the IT and technology sector in each month from January 2024 to date; the breakdown of the country of origin of the total number of such work permits granted in that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35916/25]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising disruption to Ireland’s labour market.
The system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages required to develop and support enterprise for the benefit of our economy. However, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals are available to undertake the work and that the shortage is genuine one.
The system is, by design, vacancy led and managed through the operation of the occupation lists: the critical skills list in respect of highly skill professional roles that are in critical shortage in the labour market and the ineligible occupations lists for which a source of labour should be available from within Ireland and the EEA.
The Employment Permits Section of the Department has set out the number of work permits issued in relation positions in the IT and technology sector from January 2024 up to the 26th of June 2025 in the table below. The country of origin in respect of these applications is outlined in the second table below.
|
2024 |
2025 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun until 25.06 |
|
592 |
511 |
601 |
663 |
374 |
541 |
753 |
594 |
538 |
472 |
572 |
576 |
527 |
421 |
454 |
285 |
238 |
197 |
322. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures he is taking to boost domestic enterprises in the context of external pressure and on the multinational sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36062/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out an ambitious vision for Ireland’s enterprise policy, seeking to secure a sustainable, innovative and high-productivity economy.
To achieve sustainable, diversified growth and enhanced economic resilience, it is vital that the Irish-owned enterprise sector fulfils its potential to scale and succeed on global markets. As an agency of my Department, Enterprise Ireland (EI), is responsible for helping prospective and emerging exporters to build company scale and expand their reach. Enterprise Ireland is also focused on driving the productivity of our SME sector and supporting businesses to broaden and deepen their innovation capacity.
The focus of Enterprise Ireland’s new strategy, ‘Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025-2029)’, is to support Irish companies to Start, Compete, Scale and Connect. Its long-term ambition is that Irish exporting companies will become the primary driver of the Irish economy. This strategy reflects a long-term commitment to ensuring that Irish enterprises are not only competitive but also globally connected and culturally agile, capable of thriving in diverse international environments.
EI aid to exporting SMEs includes direct financial assistance through grants, loans, and equity investments; Market Research and export development assistance; funding and mentoring for Innovation and Research; and facilitating international trade missions, trade event programmes, buyer visits, and market access opportunities, which are instrumental when growing and scaling internationally.
EI's Strategy sets out a number of initiatives to create resilient, internationally focused Irish enterprises, and ambitious targets are set for export growth and market diversification of the EI client base. This includes growing the total value of exports reported by EI client companies on an annual basis and driving diversification. Companies, supported by EI, exported goods and services worth €34.6 billion in 2023, the highest level on record. The impact of this activity by EI client companies can be seen in the €39.3 billion spent in the Irish economy in 2023 which includes approximately €11.7 billion spent on payroll.
Innovative, ambitious start-ups are the bedrock of the Irish economy and will form the foundations of future enterprise success. In partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and the wider enterprise and innovation ecosystem, Enterprise Ireland is supporting the next generation of Irish enterprise successes by helping ambitious start-ups to access finance, build capacity, and grow domestically and internationally. EI and the LEOs are also providing the expertise, funding and investment to support Irish businesses to lift productivity through innovative products, competitive sales offers, and greater efficiency in how work is carried out.
323. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department considered supporting the re-development of a sugar processing industry in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36094/25]
View answerWithin the remit of my Department, Enterprise Ireland provides supports to businesses in the food sector to assist them to start-up, scale, innovate and achieve their exporting ambitions. This activity supports achievement of the Programme for Government ambition to secure a sustainable, innovative and high-productivity economy.
Enterprise Ireland has advised they are not aware of any current projects or proposals related to the development of a sugar processing facility or industry in Ireland.
324. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment since the removal of sea fishers from the list of non-approved occupations for the general employment permit in July 2024, the number of applications for such permits made by fishing vessel owner employers; the number of such applications granted by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36159/25]
View answerIreland’s policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland, the European Union and other European Economic Area (EEA) states. Policy in relation to applications for employment permits remains focused on facilitating the recruitment from outside the EEA of skilled and highly skilled personnel, where the requisite skills cannot be met by normal recruitment or by training. Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.
In July 2024, my department introduced a new quota of 150 general employment permits for the role of sea fisher. Since then, a total of 14 applications have been submitted in respect of this role, and six permits have issued to date.
The Employment Permits legislation sets out the criteria which must be satisfied in order for an Employment Permit to be issued. The Employment Permit Section informs me that the most common reasons for the refusal of an employment permit include contract or documentation issues, salary below minimum threshold and immigration issues.
325. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the appeal that has been submitted against the decision of his Department not to renew a work permit application be considered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36160/25]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising disruption to Ireland’s labour market.
The State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.
The system is governed by the Employment Permits Act 2024 which came into effect on September 2nd, 2024. This legislation provides the framework for granting employment permits to non-EEA nationals seeking to work in Ireland and outlines the criteria and procedures for employers to follow.
The Employment Permits Act prohibits the issue of an employment permit, irrespective of applicant, unless at time of application 50% or more of the employees of the employer, the Irish branch of the foreign employer and either the contractor or the Irish client of the contractor are EEA nationals. This is more commonly known as the “50/50 Rule”.
The restriction on grant of an employment permit based on the ratio of EEA employees to non-EEA employees, is one of a set of measures designed to protect the domestic/EEA labour market. An application for an employment permit may be considered where, at time of application, at least 50% of the company's employees are nationals of the EEA (including Ireland), the Swiss Confederation, the UK or a combination of these. This criterion underpins the Government’s employment creation objectives by requiring employers in the State to hire in a balanced manner from the local labour market and ensures that the State complies with EU Union Preference obligations. All employees are included in the count regardless of hours worked, nationality, or immigration permission held.
I am aware that there are particular staffing pressures in the health sector at present and officials in my Department are consulting with the Department of Health on this issue.
326. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the appeal that has been submitted against the decision of his Department not to renew a work permit application be considered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36161/25]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising disruption to Ireland’s labour market.
The State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.
The system is governed by the Employment Permits Act 2024 which came into effect on September 2nd, 2024. This legislation provides the framework for granting employment permits to non-EEA nationals seeking to work in Ireland and outlines the criteria and procedures for employers to follow.
The Employment Permits section of the Department informs me that the renewal Employment Permit application submitted to them in respect of this individual was received by them on the 8th of April 2025, 10 weeks after their previous permit had expired. In line with the Employment Permits legislation, renewal applications must be received within one month after the expiry date of the first employment permit application that issued. As this was not done in this case it was not possible to renew the application concerned.
327. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the appeal that has been submitted against the decision of his Department not to renew a work permit application be considered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36162/25]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising disruption to Ireland’s labour market.
The State's employment permit system is designed to supplement Ireland's skills and labour supply over the short to medium term by allowing enterprises to recruit nationals from outside the EEA, where such skills or expertise cannot be sourced from within the EEA at that time.
The system is governed by the Employment Permits Act 2024 which came into effect on September 2nd, 2024. This legislation provides the framework for granting employment permits to non-EEA nationals seeking to work in Ireland and outlines the criteria and procedures for employers to follow.
The Employment Permits Act prohibits the issue of an employment permit, irrespective of applicant, unless at time of application 50% or more of the employees of the employer, the Irish branch of the foreign employer and either the contractor or the Irish client of the contractor are EEA nationals. This is more commonly known as the “50/50 Rule”.
The restriction on grant of an employment permit based on the ratio of EEA employees to non-EEA employees, is one of a set of measures designed to protect the domestic/EEA labour market. An application for an employment permit may be considered where, at time of application, at least 50% of the company's employees are nationals of the EEA (including Ireland), the Swiss Confederation, the UK or a combination of these. This criterion underpins the Government’s employment creation objectives by requiring employers in the State to hire in a balanced manner from the local labour market and ensures that the State complies with EU Union Preference obligations. All employees are included in the count regardless of hours worked, nationality, or immigration permission held.
I am aware that there are particular staffing pressures in the health sector at present and officials in my Department are consulting with the Department of Health on this issue.
328. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the new Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36228/25]
View answerIn response to international economic developments, and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government has brought forward the preparation of an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity. The Action Plan is currently being prepared for consideration of Government in July (to be finalised and published as soon as possible thereafter).
The Action Plan will reflect the whole-of-government approach to domestic drivers of competitiveness, focusing on areas firmly within our national control. Its development has been informed by extensive consultation across Government Departments and with external stakeholders. My Department has already undertaken a series of bilateral engagements with key Government partners, including in the areas of infrastructure, housing, research and innovation. This discussion will continue in the weeks ahead alongside broader stakeholder engagement and public consultation.
The Action Plan will also be guided by the forthcoming Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2025 report from the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, which is due to be published in June. That evidenced-based input will be vital to ensuring that our policy responses are targeted, proportionate and future-facing.
The Action Plan will focus on domestic policy measures which can make the Irish economy more competitive and resilient to economic shocks – a large part of this will focus on SMEs. It is expected that the Plan will address areas which are impacting on the ability of SMEs to compete internationally, these include but are not limited to: business costs, SME scaling, and increasing the rate of RD&I among firms.
The overarching objective of the Action Plan is to maintain and improve Ireland's position as a competitive and productive economy capable of withstanding shocks, building on our strengths and developing our indigenous enterprise base while continuing to attract investment and talent from abroad. The Action Plan will, therefore, contain a set of actionable recommendations with clearly defined implementation timelines.
