Around 97 per cent of people employed in public jobs were white Irish, a new research has found, while highlighting that the country’s civil service “does not reflect the diversity in wider Irish society”.
The research on equality in the Irish public service stated that strict eligibility criteria have made it difficult for skilled migrants to apply for such roles, especially at a time when state bodies are struggling to source qualified candidates, especially in science, health, engineering and finance.
“The Irish civil service has a very limited scope for hiring non-EEA/non-UK/non-Swiss migrants,” the research paper said.
According to the paper, prepared by the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Unit in Publicjobs, more than 12,000 people working in the Irish public sector are set to retire within the next decade. It said that easing of eligibility requirements for public appointments could fill this looming void.
It further added: “The pool of eligible candidates at present excludes individuals who would have a robust immigration permission to reside and work in Ireland and potential candidates who could secure such permission.”
The HSE, as per the paper, had the “broadest criteria” for applicants, while greater curbs were in place for the diplomatic service, An Garda, and the Defence Forces.