Construction Sector Work Permits

The Employment Permit Acts require Non-EEA workers, unless exempted, to have permission to enter and be in employment in Ireland.

The work permits system include a list of ineligible occupations detailing employments which will not qualify for a permit. Construction and building trade occupations are on this said list, however, due to labour shortages the Minister of State for Business, Employment & Retail announced in October 2021 significant changes to the work permits system.

The Minister announced these changes include 8 occupational categories which can qualify for permission to work in Ireland.

These are:

• Carpenters and Joiners
• Floorers
• Masons
• Roof Tilers, Roofers
• Wall Tilers
• Slaters, Plumbers
• Heating and Ventilating Engineers
• Construction and Building Trade Supervisors
• Electricians, Decorators, Painters

Persons seeking work permits in these occupations can now seek a General Work Permit which can issue for 2 years and is then subject to renewals.

This is welcome news which can form one component of resolving the housing challenges in Ireland.

Immigration Lawyer

If you have questions about work permits, you can speak with an immigration lawyer on (01) 546 1121 or  (052) 612 1999.

Disclaimer

Please be advised that the above-mentioned material is intended as an overview and as a broad out-line of the topic discussed. It should not be considered as complete and comprehensive legal advice, nor act as an appropriate substitute.

Due care has been taken in the publication of this article and we do not accept legal liability as a result of reliance on any material covered in the above article.