Government plans to reassess eligible job categories for work permits
The Department of Enterprise has announced the opening of a consultation period for the review of Ireland's work permit occupations lists, which will remain open until the 19th of September, 2025 [1][2][3]. This review covers the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List, which determine which roles qualify for employment permits and which do not, based on labor market needs in Ireland and the European Economic Area (EEA) [4].
During this consultation period, employers, representative bodies, government departments, agencies, and other stakeholders are invited to submit their views and suggestions [1][3][4]. Submissions can be made through an online consultation form provided on the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) website [1][3][4].
The aim of this consultation is to update the lists to reflect current labor shortages and surpluses, ensuring that the employment permits system remains flexible and responsive to Ireland’s economic and skills needs [2][4]. After the submission deadline, the government will review all inputs to determine any changes to the occupation lists [3].
Alan Dillon, Minister of State for Small Business, Retail and Employment, encourages employers or stakeholders facing challenges in recruiting a specific occupation to share their feedback [5]. He suggests that this could lead to the occupation becoming eligible for an employment permit or moving onto the critical skills list.
According to Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the employment permits system is vital for allowing non-EEA nationals to fill skill and labor gaps in Ireland and Europe [6]. He further emphasises that these non-EEA nationals are a vital part of the Irish economy.
As of the latest count, there are over 2.81 million people at work in Ireland [7]. In the past year, 90,000 new jobs have been created in the country [8]. The last review of the occupations lists took place in 2023, resulting in 11 additional roles being placed on the Critical Skills Occupations List and 32 roles becoming eligible for a General Employment Permit [9].
The Ineligible Occupations List consists of jobs for which there is an adequate labor supply and for which an employment permit will not be issued. On the other hand, the Critical Skills Occupations List includes jobs in short supply across Ireland and the EEA, such as those in medicine, ICT, sciences, finance, and business [10].
[1] [2]
Employers and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their views and suggestions during the consultation period for updating Ireland's work permit occupations lists, as they may help in determining whether specific occupations become eligible for employment permits or move onto the critical skills list. This process is crucial, as the employment permits system is vital for allowing non-EEA nationals to fill skill and labor gaps in Ireland and Europe, contributing significantly to the Irish economy.
