Ireland: Important Quota Increase and Addition to Critical Skills Occupations List
March 10, 2025
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At a Glance
- Effective March 10, 2025, the government has increased the quota of employment permits for care workers and carers in the home by 1,000 permits.
- Additionally, the job role of ‘town planners’ has been added to the Critical Skills Occupations List.
- These changes are particularly significant in the context of Ireland seeking to address underlying labor and skills gaps, and housing shortages in the country.
The situation
Effective March 10, 2025, the government has implemented important changes regarding the quota for home carers and added a role to the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL).
A closer look
| Change | Impact |
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The increase in the quota reflects Ireland's recognition of the essential role these professionals play in supporting individuals to live independently in their communities. It also underscores the country's commitment to attracting qualified individuals to meet the growing demand for home care services. |
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This change is particularly significant in the context of Ireland seeking to address underlying infrastructure needs and housing shortages in the country. |
Background
The CSOL includes highly skilled professionals in high demand and lacking in Ireland’s workforce. Occupations on this list are eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) without a labor market test (which is typically required for General Employment Permits).
The CSEP also provides additional benefits, such as a faster route to long-term residency and immediate permission for dependents to reside and work in Ireland.
Looking ahead
These changes reflect commitments by the new administration in Ireland to focus on roles that are important to society and the development of the economy. We expect to see more related changes this year, including amendments to the minimum annual remuneration requirement for employment permits. We will report on related developments.
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].
