43. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the proposed flexibility on the 50:50 rule for the health and social care sector will include all homecare providers, disability services, and nursing homes equally; if he has engaged with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on how this reform will impact on the existing recruitment and retention pressures in Section 39-funded organisations. [66541/26]

Ireland’s employment permits system is designed to facilitate the targeted entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to address identified skills and labour shortages in the short to medium term. It is not intended to act as a substitute for, or a means of avoiding, the ongoing need to develop, upskill and fully utilise the resident workforce.

The system therefore seeks to maximise the benefits of economic migration while safeguarding the domestic and wider EEA labour market, ensuring that opportunities for Irish and EEA workers are protected and that identified shortages are both genuine and demonstrable.

The 50:50 rule is a key component of this framework which underpins Ireland’s obligations under the EU’s Union Preference principle and supports the Government’s broader employment creation strategy by encouraging balanced recruitment from domestic and EEA labour markets. The 50:50 rule requires that, at the time of application for an employment permit, 50% or more of the employees of the employer are Irish/EEA/Swiss/UK nationals.

Officials of my Department conducted a review of Ireland’s use of the 50:50 rule, the outcome of which recommended the creation of regulation-making powers in the Employment Permits Act 2024. Following the review, Government approval was secured to prepare the General Scheme of a Bill to amend the relevant legislation. Engagement with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality informed this process and will continue to inform future developments including application of the new regulations, once implemented.

My Department remains committed to delivering these amendments and ensuring that the employment permits system continues to be responsive and aligned with key national priorities and changes in a dynamic labour market and continues to facilitate essential health and social care services.