Irish Work Permits System Revision News

Welcome revisions to the employment permits occupations list was announced by the Minister of State for Business in October 2021.

The work permits system is operated vis a vis occupations lists for the highly skilled and ineligible occupations list.

These occupations lists get reviewed twice yearly and in a pandemic market conditions can evidently change quite significantly, and available suitable staff issues increase.

Announcements were made in the following sectors.

HGV Drivers – Logistics

Now HGV drivers from outside the European Economic Area can seek an employment permit with the quota on such drivers removed.

Healthcare Sector

A non-EEA migrant, Dispensing Optician can seek a General Employment Permit.

A non-EEA migrant, Social Worker can now seek a Critical Skills Work Permit instead of a General Work Permit.

Construction Sector

Due to the labour and skills shortage eight new role types were deemed eligible for a General Work Permit, which 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

Agri-Food

New additional quotas for permits were added to the following roles.

1,500 for meat processing operatives, 1,000 for horticulture operatives, 500 for meat deboners, 100 for dairy farm operatives and 100 general work permit quota for work riders.

Hospitality – Management Level

A quota of 350 permits was announced for this for a non-EEA management level hospitality worker with 5 years experience and a 3^rd level qualification.

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.