Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
261. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 5 March 2024, the current number of work permits allocated for motor/auto mechanics; the number therein of the car mechanic quota and of the HGV/bus mechanic quota that have been issued; if he proposes to increase those quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16312/24]
View answerAmong the changes introduced by the 2023 Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists was the opening of a number of new quotas to provide General Employment Permit (GEP) access for certain previously ineligible occupations, including that of mechanic.
On 20 December 2023, a quota of 200 GEPs was opened for the occupation of ‘Car mechanic, Motor mechanic, Auto electrician, Motor vehicle technician’ of which 16 have been allocated to date. An additional quota of 200 GEPs was also opened for the role of HGV/bus mechanic, of which 9 have been allocated.
There are no plans to increase these quotas at the present time. When opened, the public consultation for the next Review of the Occupations Lists will again provide stakeholders with the opportunity to make evidence-based submissions to help inform the decision-making process of the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy.
