Ireland: Bill Modernising Employment Permit System Forthcoming
July 29, 2022
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At a Glance
The Irish government has announced that it will implement a new law that will streamline and improve the Employment Permit system and process. Key changes are expected to include (among others):
- The introduction of a seasonal employment permit;
- A streamlined application and approval process;
- Changes to allow subcontractors to make use of the Employment Permit system;
- A revised and more efficient labour market test; and
- Additional eligibility conditions for Employment Permits.
The bill is expected to be published from September-November 2022.
The situation
The Irish government has announced that it will implement a new law that will streamline and improve the Employment Permit system and process.
A closer look
Key changes are expected to include (among others):
- The introduction of a seasonal employment permit;
- Changes to allow subcontractors to make use of the employment permits system;
- An index for salary thresholds;
- A revised and more efficient labour market test; and
- Additional eligibility conditions for Employment Permits, such as training or accommodation support for migrant workers in some circumstances, or making innovation or upskilling a new eligibility requirement.
Impact
Impacts will not be clear until the bill is published, but based on currently available information, impacts are likely to include:
- A more agile Employment Permit system that can be changed more easily in response to skills shortages/labour demands/other labour issues;
- A wider pool of available permits to non-European Economic Area/Swiss/UK talent;
- Training and upskilling in roles may become a requirement for some employment permit holders; and
- Employers will need to carefully follow any changes to the labour market test rules.
Background
- Policy review. A review of Irelandโs migration policy undertaken in 2018 concluded that, while the Employment Permit system provides a robust framework to supplement skills and labour needs, the current legislation imposes considerable inflexibility in its operation. This proposed bill is intended to remedy these issues.
- Skills shortage issues. The bill is timely in light of the skills shortages in Ireland (and in wider Europe) and is intended to make the country a more migrant- and investor-friendly environment.
- Irelandโs intentions. The bill fits with recent efforts in Ireland to modernise the immigration landscape, including the shift to more online applications and the expansion of the multiple-entry short-stay visa program.
Looking ahead
The bill is expected to be published from September-November 2022. Fragomen will provide further analysis at that time.
Further changes, including a new booking system for residence permits, are anticipated in the future.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
