Work-permit recruitment and processing
Howlin asks about the countries supplying permit holders. The Taoiseach says workers come from a wide range of countries, including Australia, Canada and the United States, and stresses the need for an effective system to recruit skilled workers.
The range of countries from which people are given work permits surprised me. I believe people came from 63 or 73 different countries. Admittedly, countries like Australia, the United States, Canada—
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—and a number of European countries that are not in the EU are supplying many people. People in certain countries are now focusing on this country as a place to work, and that will probably extend to other countries. It is important that the system works, as the private sector says it has to go to these countries to get the skilled people it requires. The enormous figure for Australia can be attributed to one or two year visas given to nurses.