Demand Surges: Kildare Employers Seek Migrant Workers To Fill Skills Gaps

Monday, 26 February 2024 10:34

By Martin Osborne

Professions in high demand include nurses, healthcare assistants, chefs, computer programmers, and doctors.

The demand for migrant workers to address skills shortages in Kildare has increased as local employers scramble for permits to bring in staff from beyond Europe's borders.

That's according to Kildare North TD Bernard Durkan.

Despite recent increases in minimum salary requirements for these workers, employers remain undeterred.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, responsible for issuing permits, notes that demand surged alongside the economy reaching full employment.

Professions in high demand include nurses, healthcare assistants, chefs, computer programmers, and doctors.

Last month alone, the department received 5,366 permit applications, far surpassing the 2,554 applications from the same period last year.

Employers in Kildare, Meath Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway were issued most permits.

More than 8000 work permits were given to healthcare staff last year.

A total of 31,000 permits were issued in 2023.

Workers travelling here from India, the Philipines, Brazil and China have been described as 'crucial to the Irish economy'.

Speaking to Kfm, Bernard Durkan TD said it's vital that the Government facilitates the applicants.

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