'Work permit process must be more flexible'

‘Labour shortage is a huge issue in Tipperary and across the country. Government must act to remove restrictions on international recruitment and allow the work permit process to be more flexible. The entire area of Work Permits is weighed down by bureaucracy. It is too slow, does not fulfill its purpose and must be revisited’ Deputy Michael Lowry said in the Dail on Thursday.

Addressing the Tanaiste, Michéal Martin, Deputy Lowry said that ‘the issues surrounding Work Permits have been debated extensively. There have been welcome improvements but the system remains far from satisfactory’

‘As we enter the peak season hospitality, hotels, pubs and entertainment providers are in desperate need for staff. Agriculture, transport, meat processing, and healthcare continue to battle staff shortages. 79% of IT companies report difficulty in finding skilled talent.

‘It was reported recently that four in five Irish companies are struggling to attract talent as Ireland endures its worst labour shortage for 17 years’

In response, the Tanaiste said that Ireland has never had more people working in the economy since surveys began in 1998, adding that there are over 2.6million now working.

While saying that 40,000 Work Permits were issued last year, the Tanaiste agreed with Deputy Lowry that there is a need for a Review, particularly of the Occupations List. He said that this Review will commence next month (June).

‘We do have to look at the areas and the lists themselves, because there is not a sector in the economy now that is not articulating issues around shortage and real difficulty in recruiting staff’ he said.

‘We just had a debate earlier in respect of disability services, Respite services and homecare across the board. Also in terms of the Service Sectors that you have outlined similarly.

‘So we’ve got to review this’ agreed the Tanaiste.