An Addleshaw Goddard briefing note on significant changes to the employment permit system says the move represents a major change for business immigration in Ireland.

The changes will create opportunities in multiple sectors, the lawyers state.

The main changes include:

• 11 roles added to the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL),
• 32 further roles made eligible for a general employment permit,
• Salary for majority of general employment permit-holders will rise from €30,000 to €34,000 from January 2024, rising to €39,000 by 2025,
• Salary requirement for Critical Skills Employment Permit holders without a relevant degree will rise from €32,000 to €38,000 in January 2024, rising to €44,000 by 2025,
• Salary requirements for Intra-Company Transfer and Contract for Services Employment Permit applications will increase from €40,000 to €46,000, rising to €53,000 by 2025.

This is the largest ever expansion of the Irish employment permits system with 43 additional occupations becoming eligible for employment permits.

The roles include engineers, mechanics, skilled metal workers, electricians, meteorologists, butchers and bakers, as well as chemical and project engineers, the lawyers state.

Play therapists

Play therapists, family support workers in disability services, and guide dog mobility instructors are also on the list.

The Employment Permits Bill 2022, which is currently moving through the Oireachtas will bring about:

• A seasonal employment permit,

• Revision of the labour market needs test for general employment permits,
• Changes to the 12-month rule allowing a permit holder to move jobs,
• Streamlined process for transfer of employment permits between employers.

Reliant

With just 4.9% unemployed, Ireland is classified as being at full employment and businesses are becoming more reliant on immigrant labour to fill skills gaps.

In 2023, close to 31,000 permits were issued.

This year, 6,874 permits have already been issued to workers from outside the EEA.