Stakeholder input solicited for key occupation lists

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Ireland’s Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) is accepting submissions as part of its review of the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List (HSEOL) and the Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL).

What does the change mean? Stakeholders have until Oct. 7 to file submissions. The review is designed to update Ireland’s employment permits regime and determine what occupations have shortages that can be filled with non-EEA migrants who meet other work authorization criteria.

• Implementation time frame: Now until Oct. 7.
• Visas/permits affected:Employment permits.
• Who is affected: Employers interested in providing suggestions or feedback on the HSEOL and ICEL for the review Ireland is undertaking.
• Next steps: At the end of the submission period, DJEI will make recommendations to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Changes that the minister approves will take effect once a statutory instrument is issued.

Background: The current HSEOL and ICEL are available on DJEI’s website. In reviewing the lists, DJEI is tasked with balancing the facilitation of the entry of non-EEA nationals for jobs where skills shortages exist with the mandate to fill jobs, where possible, with Irish or other EEA workers. For an occupation to be considered for inclusion on the HSEOL or removal from the ICEL, there must be no suitable Irish or EEA nationals available, development opportunities for Irish and EEA nationals must not be undermined by allowing non-EEA nationals to work in the occupation, and genuine skills shortages must exist despite efforts to train Irish and EEA nationals for jobs that are available, among other considerations.

Ireland’s review of the HSEOL and ICEL comes after the lists were adjusted in July. Authorities indicated at that time that they would be reviewing the lists again this fall.

BAL Analysis: Employers finding it difficult to source employees for roles that are now on the ICEL may benefit from requesting that these roles be removed from the list. Additionally, roles may need to be added to the HSEOL to allow companies to continue essential strategic growth, particularly due to rapid technological changes. BAL invites clients to work with BAL by providing any suggestions or feedback on the HSEOL and ICEL for the review Ireland is undertaking.

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

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