Dublin: The number of work permits issued to non-EU and non-EEA nationals in Ireland has continued to rise in 2026, despite job cuts in major multinational companies and a modest increase in unemployment.
Latest figures from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment show that 15,535 new employment permits were issued during the first five months of 2026, compared with 13,471 during the same period in 2025—an increase of approximately 15 percent.
If the current pace continues, the total number of permits issued this year could exceed 37,000, approaching the record level of 39,350 permits granted in 2024.
Indian Nationals Continue to Lead Permit Numbers
Indian citizens once again accounted for the largest share of employment permits issued in Ireland.
Between January and May 2026, more than 4,600 permits were granted to Indian nationals, representing roughly 30–35 percent of all permits issued during the period. The figures include Stamp 1A permissions and reflect the strong presence of Indian professionals in sectors such as healthcare, information technology, engineering, and social care.
The continued demand for skilled workers in these sectors has helped sustain permit issuance despite wider economic uncertainty.
ICT Sector Shows Modest Growth
The information and communications-technology (ICT) sector recorded a slight increase in work permits issued to foreign workers.
During the first five months of 2025, 1,594 permits were issued within the sector. By the end of May 2026, that figure had risen marginally to 1,613.
The increase is notable because it reverses a trend of declining permit numbers in the technology sector, which had faced significant restructuring and job reductions over the past year.
Layoffs Continue Across Major Employers
The rise in work permits comes against a backdrop of workforce reductions at several multinational companies.
Meta recently announced global job cuts affecting approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, including around 350 positions in Ireland. Despite these reductions, the company continued to secure work permits for non-EU employees during the same period.
Meanwhile, major professional services firms, including KPMG, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte, have indicated plans to reduce graduate recruitment in 2026, with reports suggesting a combined reduction of around 29 percent.
Technology Employment Declines
Data from the Central Statistics Office Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2026 showed a significant decline in technol ogy-related employment.
The survey reported that employment in the information and communications sector fell by 20,300 jobs year-on-year, representing an 11 percent decline compared with the first quarter of 2025. Most of the losses occurred in computer programming, consultancy, and related technology services.
Despite this contraction, the number of employment permits issued to large technology employers remained relatively stable, highlighting the continued demand for specialised international talent in certain areas of the sector.
Mixed Trends Across Industries
While permit issuance increased overall, some sectors recorded slower growth. Professional services firms such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young and KPMG reportedly saw a decline in the number of employment permits granted during the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
The figures illustrate a complex labour market picture in Ireland, where some sectors are experiencing layoffs and recruitment slowdowns while others continue to rely on overseas workers to fill skills shortages.
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