Significant Expansion to Ireland’s Employment Permit System: 11 New Roles Added to Critical Skills Occupations List..
In the most extensive expansion of Ireland’s employment permits system, the government has included 11 roles in the Critical Skills Occupations List, with an additional roles now eligible for a General Employment Permit. Commencing January 2024, the salary threshold for the majority of permit holders will rise from €30,000 to €34,000.
Professions gaining eligibility include electricians, electrical engineers, skilled metal workers, chemical and project engineers, therapists, family support workers in disability services, car, motor, and HGV mechanics, auto-electricians, motor vehicle technicians, vehicle body builders and repairers, panel beaters, vehicle paint technicians, furniture workers, metal plate workers, pig managers, and pig farm assistants.
The salary requirements for healthcare assistants (currently at €27,000), horticultural workers, and meat processors (both at €22,000) will increase to €30,000 in January 2024, aligning with family reunification thresholds.
Quotas for dairy farm assistants, butcher/deboners, meat processors, and horticultural workers will be extended. General Employment Permit applicants will now require a Labour Market Needs Test to meet the revised thresholds.
Minister of State for Business, Employment, and Retail, Neale Richmond, emphasised the positive impact of the additions, stating that these changes would benefit Irish businesses and society, allowing essential workers to contribute more effectively to sectors such as housing and healthcare.
A roadmap for further salary threshold increases has been outlined, with the threshold rising to €39,000 after the initial increase to €34,000 in January. This phased approach aims to give sectors, particularly agri-food and healthcare, sufficient time to adapt.
Minister Richmond highlighted the importance of recognising the contribution of migrant workers to the economy and society, acknowledging their skills, experience, and cultural diversity. The increased salary thresholds aim to offer quality employment, particularly benefiting healthcare assistants and home carers, who play crucial roles in Irish communities. Additionally, the expanded Critical Skills Occupations List includes roles like professional forester, meteorologist, chemical engineer, and others.
The occupations removed from the Ineligible Occupations List making them eligible for a General Employment Permit are:
- Residential Day and Domiciliary Case Managers – in Disability Services
- Play Therapist – in Disability Services
- Genetic Counsellor
- Social Care Worker
- Family Support Workers – in Disability Services
- Project Offices, Disability
- Support Worker (social, community, public and charity)
- Guide Dog Mobility Instructor for the Visually Impaired
- Autism Assistance Dog Instructor
- Pig Managers
- Smiths and forge workers
- Moulders, core makers and die casters
- Metal plate workers and riveters
- Car mechanic, Motor mechanic, Auto electrician, Motor vehicle technician
- HGV mechanic
- Vehicle body builders and repairers/Body shop panel beaters
- Electrician, electrical contractor, electrical engineer,
- Vehicle paint technician
- Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors
- Upholstery and furniture operatives
- Butchers/(de)boner
- Baker
- Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers
- Senior Care Workers – in Disability Services
- Textile Process Operatives
- Wood Machine Operatives
- Saw Doctor/Wood Machine Mechanic
- Armature Rewinder
- Pig Farm Assistants
- Speciality Forestry Harvesting Technician
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