Employment permit system to be modernized

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Irish government has announced it will publish a new law to modernize its employment permit system.

Key Points:

• Foreign nationals will be able to apply for a new Seasonal Employment Permit if they will be working in Ireland during reoccurring short-stays.
• Irish authorities will revise the labor market needs test with the intent to make it more relevant and efficient.
• Salary requirements will be linked to price indexes to ensure foreign national’s wages remain close to wage growth in Ireland.
• Provisions will be introduced for subcontractors registered in Ireland to have access to the employment permits.

Additional Information: The employment permits system is managed through lists designating critical skills and ineligible occupations. The lists are reviewed regularly to ensure they meet current worker requirements. A list of occupations ineligible for employment permits is available here. The critical skills list is available here.

BAL Analysis: The new law was developed to attract more highly skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to meet employment demands in the country. BAL will continue to monitor the modernization of Ireland’s employment permit system and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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