The Government of Ireland announced changes to the employment permits system for workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The main changes, which are in effect as of October 28, include:
- Most construction sector jobs now eligible for a General Employment Permit
- Quota to be removed for HGV driver work permits
- 350 General Employment Permits for hospitality managers
- Social Workers to be eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit
- Dispensing Opticians to be eligible for General Employment Permit
- New General Employment Permit quotas for 1,000 Horticulture Operatives, 500 Meat Deboners, 1500 Meat Processing operatives and 100 Dairy Farm Assistants; with a strategic review of labor attraction and retention in the sector to follow
- New General Employment Permit quota of 100 for Work Riders
Background
Ireland operates a managed employment permit system through occupation lists, namely the critical skills and ineligible occupation lists, which are reviewed twice a year. This is the third bi-annual review since the onset of the pandemic. The above changes are intended to address the impact of the pandemic on the supply chain and labor market, including labor shortages across a number of economic sectors.
The Employment Permits system is designed to attract highly skilled workers from outside the EEA to Ireland, to meet skills demanded in the economy that can’t be accessed through the resident labor force.
Erickson Insights
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.