Minister Burke announces new measures to support home care and planning sectors

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, announced changes to the employment permits system to address skills shortages in Ireland’s Planning and Home Care sectors. The changes will come into effect on Monday, March 10.

Minister Burke said, “I am delighted to announce further changes to the employment permit system that will help ease the recruitment challenges being experienced in the construction and home care sectors. As we have reached full employment with over 2.7 million people at work here, there are some skills that are increasingly difficult for employers to access in Ireland and across the EEA, and these sectors are prime examples.”

The quota for home carers will be increased by 1,000. "In a continuation of our efforts to support services for those needing care in the home, I have approved an extension of 1000 General Employment Permits to the current quota for the role of care workers and carers in the home. Extending this quota will help alleviate labour shortages in this important sector and ensure people can access the services they need, where and when they need them. The role of care worker and home carer is eligible for a General Employment Permit with a minimum salary requirement of €30,000."

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Town planners added to the Critical Skills Occupations List

Minister Burke went on to say, “I am also delighted to announce that I have made the role of town planning officer eligible for a critical skills permit. This follows engagement with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and seeks to address the ongoing critical infrastructure bottlenecks experienced in the housing and broader construction sector. This change will place the State in a stronger position to attract a higher number of qualified and skilled planners to address shortages. This change will place the State in a better position to attract a higher number of qualified and skilled planners to address shortages, and continue the ramp up in housing delivery which is a critical Government priority."

The planning system is critical to and underpins the delivery of public policy, societal, economic, and environmental objectives including an adequate supply of good quality housing and the timely delivery of public infrastructure like energy, transport, water, flood defences and climate resilience.  

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Minister of State for Small Businesses, Retail and Employment, Alan Dillon said, “Migrant workers play a vital role in Irish society in a number of industries, particularly in the health care and construction sectors. The increase of the quota for home carers will continue to support vital services for patients in Ireland and ensure some of the most vulnerable members of society can access the care they need. The addition of town planning officer to the Critical Skills Occupations List will ensure that this vital role is open to skilled workers from outside of the EEA and will provide much needed support to Ireland’s planning system.”

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