Ireland Opens HSE Doors to Foreign Healthcare Assistants; i2i Welcomes Major Policy Shift

Dublin: In a significant breakthrough for thousands of migrant healthcare assistants, the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) has begun opening recruitment to non-EU healthcare assistants already residing in Ireland. The move marks the end of a long-standing restriction that limited foreign carers to private-sector employment despite their growing contribution to the Irish healthcare system.

Since 2022, migrant workers were formally permitted to enter Ireland as healthcare assistants—but only for private-sector roles. HSE employment remained out of reach, creating a salary gap of at least €5,000 a year between private providers and the public health sector.

According to i2i Ireland administrator Bineesh Joseph, who led a year-long advocacy campaign to end this “untouchability”, the Department of Health has now granted approval for HSE recruitment of foreign healthcare assistants. Several HSE regions have already issued career notices.
Only candidates currently residing in Ireland—holding an IRP card with Stamp 1, 1G, 4, 5, or 6—will be eligible for these positions.

Family Reunification Policy: Clarity Amid Confusion

i2i Ireland officials criticised misinformation being circulated about Ireland’s revised family reunification rules. They clarified that the requirement to prove two consecutive years of income records has been reduced to one year, significantly easing the process.

Under the new rules:

• A worker earning the €30,000 minimum wage within 12 months can bring a spouse to Ireland.
• If a couple earns a combined €60,000 gross (€45,032 net) the following year, they can bring two children through family reunification.
  i2i emphasised that these thresholds are realistic and attainable for most workers.

Stamp 1G Victory for Older Children

A major success of the i2i campaign is the extension of Stamp 1G to children arriving in Ireland after the age of 16 via family reunification.
This allows older teenagers to:

• Work full-time
• Support themselves financially
• Continue education if they meet fee requirements

Ireland provides free education up to age 18, ensuring broad opportunities for newly reunited families.

Pathway to Stamp 4 After Five Years

Another significant policy update is that individuals who enter Ireland on any approved residency visa (except international students during study periods) and properly renew their permission will now qualify for Stamp 4 after five years—granting greater stability and work flexibility.

i2i representatives Bineesh Joseph, Libin Baby Thetayil, Reggie C. Jacob, and Preethi Krishnakumar welcomed these reforms, calling them “highly beneficial” for healthcare assistants and General Employment Permit (GEP) holders.

Family Visa Support Campaign Launched

To assist GEP holders with the updated regulations, i2i Ireland has launched a special campaign to prepare and submit family visa applications during December–January.

GEP holders needing assistance can contact:
085 807 7185
085 840 6085

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