Government seeks responses to employment permit system changes

What is the change? The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is accepting comments and recommendations from employers and other stakeholders on the Guiding Principles that frame Ireland’s economic migration policies and employment permit system.

What does the change mean? Employers have until Monday to submit comments regarding skills and labor shortages in Ireland and recommendations on how the shortages may be addressed.

• Implementation time frame: Between now and April 9.
• Visas/permits affected: Employment permits.
• Who is affected: Irish companies hiring and recruiting foreign employees.
• Next steps: Information on how to submit recommendations is available on this website.

Background: Ireland’s employment permit regime focuses on key sectors and skills shortages, especially in economically strategic enterprises with potential for jobs growth. In January, RTÉ and the Independent reported that the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation had come under pressure to allow more low-skilled workers in certain sectors.

BAL Analysis: While reforms to the employment permit system would be welcomed by some employers, the changes that have been discussed and the request for comments are mostly geared toward low-skilled workers. Irish officials are seeking feedback, however, on the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which seeks to attract highly skilled non-EEA workers in occupations with acknowledged skill shortages. BAL can assist any clients who wish to make a submission to the DBEI.

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

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