The Employment Permit System in Ireland has undergone significant changes in recent times!!
The latest change occurred on 25 June 2024, with the introduction of the Employment Permits Bill into law, setting the ground for crucial amendments expected to come into force in the near future.
These include adjustments to the required employment period before employment permit holders can change employers, the elimination of the need to advertise positions in national newspapers, and the introduction of a seasonal employment permit, among other reforms.
Additionally, the end of 2023 marked Ireland’s Employment Permit System’s largest expansion to date.
Major changes took place including the addition of new roles to the Critical Skills List, removal of occupations from the Ineligible list and an increase in salary thresholds.
After a few years passed since the previous significant changes in the occupations lists, this announcement represents a significant development for the Employment Permit System in Ireland.
Let’s delve into the latest developments!
Note that the specific regulations detailing updates are yet to be published.
Exciting upcoming changes include:
This has been the first time since 2019 that we have seen multiple occupations added to the Critical Skills list or removed from the Ineligible list. However, this time around, the update was a lot more substantial.
So, let’s see what’s new!
There are 9 new positions included in the Critical Skills Occupations List, while 32 now qualify for a General Employment Permit.
The new occupations included in the Critical Skills List include:
The occupations that are now eligible for the General Employment Permit include:
In the December 2023 announcement, a plan to also gradually raise the minimum salary requirements for all kinds of work permits was released.
General Employment Permits previously had a salary threshold of €30,000. This meant that to qualify for a General Employment Permit, the job needed to pay at least €30,000 per year.
However, it was announced that this threshold will increase to €34,000 starting from January 2024. Following that, more increases will happen in 2025.
Additionally, increases in salary for specific industries were also announced. These industries include home carers, healthcare assistants, horticultural workers, and meat processors. Their salary is said to increase to a minimum of €30,000 a year.
Minister Neale Richmond noted that salaries will be increased gradually to facilitate a smooth transition, giving industries like agriculture and healthcare enough time to get ready.
The threshold changes will be as follows:
| Type of Employment Permit | Thresholds until Dec 2023 | Thresholds from January 2024 | (Approximate)Change from January 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Employment Permit | €30,000 | €34,000 | €39,000 |
| General Employment Permit for Butcher/Boner | €27,500 | €34,000 | €39,000 |
| General Employment Permit for Healthcare Assistant/ Home Carer | €27,000 | €30,000 | €34,000 |
| General Employment Permit for occupations in Horticulture/ Meat Processing | €22,916 | €30,000 | €32,000 |
| General Employment Permit for Graduate Positions – Language Skills Specialist | €27,000 | €34,000 | €39,000 |
| Critical Skills Employment Permit with occupation on the Critical Skills list and a relevant degree | €32,000 | €38,000 | €44,000 |
| Critical skills without a degree or occupations that are not on the Critical Skills list | €64,000 | No changes | No changes |
| Intra-Company Transfer (Trainee) | €30,000 | €34,000 | €39,000 |
| Intra-Company Transfer (Manager or Key Personnel) | €40,000 | €46,000 | €53,000 |
| Contract for Services Employment permit | €40,000 | €46,000 | €53,000 |
*Note that figures may be subject to change.
These changes were made for reasons such as:
In summary, these adjustments attempt to match the Employment Permit System with present needs, making sure there are enough skilled workers to support the Irish economy.
Visa First can help you obtain a General Employment Permit, a Critical Skills Employment Permit or an Intra-company Transfer Employment Permit.
Whether you are an employee or an employer, Visa First is your one-stop shop for employment permits and visas.
We will ensure your application is prepared in line with the requirements and that your chances of a successful outcome are increased!
We’ve been processing visas worldwide for over two decades, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands.
The necessity to increase salaries when renewing employment permits in 2024 depends on several factors, including the specific type of permit and any changes to salary thresholds.
If the salary threshold for the relevant permit category has increased, employers may need to adjust salaries accordingly to meet the new criteria.
The system expanded and changed mainly because there were not enough skilled workers in different parts of the Irish economy.
Also, the salary thresholds were stagnant for almost a decade, so they needed to be reviewed to ensure migrant workers were fairly compensated and to match the economy’s growth and rising prices.
Employers will have to pay higher salaries to meet the new requirements, which may require financial planning and budget adjustments.
Industries that heavily rely on migrant workers, like healthcare, agriculture, and construction, will need to make sure they can attract and retain skilled workers by offering competitive salaries.
Employers should stay informed about updates to the Employment Permit System and adjust their hiring practices accordingly.
Prospective employees should consult official sources, such as the Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, for the most up-to-date information.
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