69. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status of the Bill to amend the 50:50 rule under the Employment Permits Act 2024 for the health and social care sector; when he expects this general scheme to go to Government; and the expected timeline for enactment. [66539/26]

My Department has drafted the General Scheme of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which will amend the Employment Permits Act 2024 to implement the proposed changes to the “50:50” rule, which were recently approved by Government in May 2026. This Bill will also make some further minor and technical amendments to the Employment Permits Act 2024 and other pieces of legislation.

It is intended the General Scheme will be brought to Government for approval by the end of this month. If approved, officials from my Department will then work with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft the Bill at the earliest opportunity having regard to Government's Autumn 2026 Legislation Programme.

The timing of any Bill’s enactment, once drafted and published, is a matter for the Oireachtas.