Ireland: Occupation Lists Changes Published,“50:50” Rule Modification Proposed

The situation 

Effective immediately, the Irish Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has announced 32 changes to roles eligible for employment permits in Ireland.  

A closer look 

The changes include:

• • Critical Skills Occupations List. Six roles added to the Critical Skills Occupations List (Agronomist, Construction Planner/Scheduler, Community Eye Care, Intellectual Property Professionals, Geospatial Surveyor (also known as Land Surveyor and Geomatics Surveyor) and Riggers (within the Games Industry).
  • Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits. Nine roles removed from the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits (Pharmaceutical Technicians (Healthcare specific), Dentistry - Dental Hygienist, Plastic Lining Technicians, Steel Fixers, Fencing Operators / Erectors, Curtain Wallers, Printers, Industrial Machine Knitter and Concrete Pump Operator).
  • Quota list changes:
    • Two roles removed from the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits with newly established quotas (Fish Filleter and Seafood Operative); and
    • 15 roles remain eligible for General Employment Permits with renewed quotas (listed here).  
    • Employers seeking to use new or extended quotas must complete a new Labour Market Needs Test where required prior to submitting an Employment Permit application for an applicable occupation. The earliest submission date for these applications is June 10, 2026.

Impact

• • Occupations List. These changes target skills shortages across construction, healthcare, transport and agri-food sectors, plus the addition of two niche roles in the Critical Skills Occupations List related to intellectual property and the gaming industry, respectively.
  • Quotas. The extension of existing and introduction of new quotas will be welcomed by affected sectors: quotas for hotel and accommodation managers and Car/ Motor Mechanic, Auto Electrician, Vehicle Technicians were both filled within months of previous quotas being announced.  

Background

• • Review and consultation. The changes come following a comprehensive review of the existing occupations lists, which included a public consultation, an evaluation process and the convening of an inter-governmental group to consider any recommended changes.  
  • Purpose of changes. The Department noted that the purpose of the review is to ensure appropriate adjustments are made to the occupations in line with the principles of the 2018 Review of Economic Migration Policy, which in part focused on the consistent need for migrant labour to offset economic challenges. 

Looking ahead  

• • Upcoming changes to the “50:50 rule” in the health and social care sector.  
    • As part of broader efforts to tackle labour shortages, the government has flagged its support of proposals to no longer require employers in the health and social care sector to meet the “50:50 rule” for specified occupations. Currently, to be eligible for the Employment Permits system, employers in all sectors must maintain a workforce comprising at least 50 percent European Economic Area, Swiss or UK nationals, subject to very limited exceptions.  
    • Such changes – which would require legislative amendments – remain only proposals. If changed, this would be the first time the rule has been amended since its introduction in 2006, and would require changes to the Employment Permits Act 2024. This measure, combined with the sector-specific approach now emerging, is a clear example of the Irish government’s willingness to move quickly to meet labour market needs, even where primary legislation is involved. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at  Fragomen.