Dublin: Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Alan Dillon, has announced that a public consultation on Ireland’s work permit system will be launched later this year. The consultation will focus on potential updates to the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL) and the Ineligible Occupations List (IOL), which determine eligibility for employment permits for individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Responding to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD Noel McCarthy, Minister Dillon confirmed that while a specific date for the consultation has not yet been set, preparations are underway. McCarthy had inquired whether the government was considering removing the agricultural worker category from the ineligible list to facilitate the issuing of work permits in that sector.
Minister Dillon said broader policy development is being actively considered to address skills shortages in key sectors, including agriculture. He emphasised the government’s commitment to leveraging economic migration to meet labour market demands and enhance workforce capacity across all levels.
In the 2023 review of the employment permit system, new quotas were introduced for roles such as pig farm managers and farm assistants, making them eligible for General Employment Permits (GEPs). Quotas were also extended for existing permit-eligible roles like dairy farm assistants and horticultural workers.
However, the minister noted that most agricultural jobs, apart from those in pig farming, remain on the Ineligible Occupations List. He stressed that any changes to this list would require clear evidence of sustained skills shortages, despite ongoing efforts to recruit Irish and EEA workers through education, training, and employment policy.
“Occupations will only be considered for removal from the IOL when there is a demonstrable and ongoing shortage of qualified Irish or EEA candidates,” Dillon said.
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