14. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on progress towards the introduction of a single permit system for visas and work permits. [36627/25]

Sentiment score: 0.25

There are employers who struggle to get skilled workers in a range of different sectors. They look across the world to find people but when they are recruiting, they struggle both with getting a permit and then possibly a visa to enter the country. What is the up-to-date position on getting the single visa application process up and running?

Sentiment score: -0.26

In areas such as healthcare, farming, timber and other sectors, employers have struggled to get skilled staff. When they look abroad, it can be a slow and difficult process, between finding the person, his or her employment permit and the visa to enter. Each one after another can be a challenge. Employers could end up finding the person but not a visa to enter the country. The Minister of State outlined the plan to move ahead with the single permit. Will he outline what milestones he sees along the way? What are the various steps he sees on that? Is it intended that it will be a phased introduction? Will he outline whether it is being phased in and whether it will be sector by sector?

Sentiment score: -0.07

I have two different questions on that. On phasing, the Minister of State said a 2027 completion date was being aimed for. Will a switch be flicked in 2027 and everybody will apply? Is it being phased in sector by sector from then or just before it? As regards collaboration between his Department and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, some of the sectors will be more difficult. For example, there are a small number of larger employers in healthcare, whereas in farming or timber, there are a lot of smaller employers. What is the level of engagement with those? Some of them will be more difficult to reach or engage with. Will the Minister of State outline what engagement he is having with those employers to make sure the application process is meeting their needs?

Sentiment score: 0.08