Danny Healy-Rae urges fast-track of non-EU work permits
Danny Healy-Rae called for expedited work permits from non-EU countries to tackle labour shortages in construction and hospitality, urging the Tanaiste and the minister to advance pending legislation and clear outstanding permits. He cited Killarney employers and a co-op waiting for 50 years as examples of immediate demand.
Condolences and opening remarks
He expressed sympathy for the family of the late Tom Burke, noting Burke's friendship with his late father and longstanding ties to the Dáil.
Work permits and house-building
He raised the issue of work permits from non-EU countries - and from any country - as a means to help the house building programme and other sectors facing staffing gaps.
Local employers seeking staff
He named Killarney employers including Michael Cronin, Ready Mix and Turner Build, saying one firm needs 20 workers immediately and could employ up to 100 more if people were available.
Hospitality and cooperative concerns
He pointed to shortages in hospitality at places such as Scots Hotel and the Deniglo Hotel, and highlighted the Routy Valley Co-op's 50-year wait for permits, saying he believed the permits were on the minister's desk and urging urgent action.
Minister's response and policy constraints
The minister replied that the government was keen to progress the legislation, acknowledged delays in pre-legislative scrutiny and processing, and said the bill may be brought into the house this session. He also noted that permit processing is improving but that a cap on permits must be reviewed, with attention to accommodation and protecting terms, conditions and wages.
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I too want to sympathise with the family of the late Tom Burke, he was a massive friend of my late father's and indeed all of us since we got elected up here to Dail Eireann. Tanaiste, I want to raise the issue of work permits as well from non-EU countries or from any country to help in the house building programme and indeed in many other areas as well. In Killarney we have Michael Cronin, ready mix and Turner build, he's looking for 20 people right away and he tells me he could employ up to 100 more if he could get the people. The hospitality sector, places like Scots Hotel, the Deniglo Hotel and then we have the Routy Valley Co-op with 50 years waiting and I believe the permits are on Minister English's desk and I know he's a very good man but there's a shortage of staff in that office and whatever Bill you're bringing into the chamber in the next few months. I ask you to advance it, hurry it on to the paramount importance to employers because they can get staff and workers. Thank you very much. Thanks Deputy, we are keen to get that legislation done as soon as we possibly can. It was delayed in pre-legislative scrutiny and the committee spoke to the chairman about that. I understand that it may be advancing so if we can get the bill into the house this session we will. I should say that there have been delays in processing permits but that is improving now. But there's also a cap on the number of permits and we have to review that as well and we may increase those caps but we have to have regard to wider considerations as well. Issues around accommodation for example and making sure that terms and conditions and wages are protected. of what has happened so far. And it has been delayed so if there are any skills and wages are directly standing in the meantime. It's a very difficult time, I can say that unless there are any skills that are there on the ground, but around the ground, it's only three thousand pages there. But it's only a thousand pages that are on the ground.
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