Ireland Updates Employment Permit Occupations List

Ireland has made significant changes to its employment permit system, aiming to address labor shortages in key sectors while maintaining the integrity of the system. As of May 13, 2026, nine occupations have been removed from the Ineligible List of Occupations, allowing employers to apply for General Employment Permits for these roles. This move is part of a broader package of 32 changes announced by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, which also includes additions to the Critical Skills Occupations List and adjustments to existing quotas.

The decision to update the list follows a review that began in the summer of 2025. The goal is to respond to persistent labor needs in priority areas without compromising the availability of jobs for Irish and European Economic Area (EEA) workers. The changes are designed to support economic growth and public services by ensuring that businesses can access the talent they need.

Newly Eligible Occupations for General Employment Permits

The removal of nine jobs from the ineligible list opens up new possibilities for employers seeking to hire foreign workers. These newly eligible occupations span various sectors, including healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. The aim is to fill critical vacancies where a shortage of local workers has been identified.

The specific occupations that are now eligible for General Employment Permits include:

• Pharmaceutical Technicians (healthcare specific): This role is crucial for the healthcare sector, supporting the work of pharmacists and ensuring the efficient supply of medications.
• Dental Hygienist: With an increasing focus on preventative oral healthcare, dental hygienists play a key role in public health services.
• Plastic Lining Technicians; Steel Fixers; Fencing Operators / Erectors; Curtain Wallers: These construction-related roles are vital for infrastructure development and building projects. The grouping of these trades under a single SOC code reflects a broader approach to addressing needs in the construction industry.
• Printers: In the printing industry, skilled workers are needed to operate and maintain modern printing equipment.
• Industrial Machine Knitter: This occupation is important for the manufacturing sector, particularly in textile production.
• Concrete Pump Operator: Essential for construction projects, these operators are needed for efficient concrete placement.

These changes mean that employers in these fields can now pursue General Employment Permits for non-EEA nationals, provided they meet the standard requirements.

Requirements Beyond List Eligibility

It is important to understand that simply being removed from the ineligible list does not automatically guarantee an employment permit. Employers must still adhere to the established regulations. This typically includes demonstrating that they have made genuine efforts to recruit suitable candidates from the Irish and EEA labor markets. This process is often referred to as a Labour Market Needs Test, although it does not apply to all permit types or situations.

Furthermore, minimum salary thresholds remain in place. For most General Employment Permits, the minimum annual salary requirement is €36,605. However, a lower threshold of €32,691 per year, or at least €16.12 per hour, applies to certain specified jobs. These include roles like healthcare assistants, home support workers, horticulture workers, and meat processor operatives. Meat deboners have a higher threshold of €36,605 annually. These pay floors are designed to ensure that migrant workers are not employed at wages significantly below the market rate.

Expansion of Critical Skills Occupations and Quotas

In addition to the changes for General Employment Permits, the broader package of 32 updates also includes six new roles added to the Critical Skills Occupations List. These additions aim to attract highly skilled individuals in areas deemed essential for Ireland’s economic development. The new critical skills roles are: Agronomist, Construction Planner/Scheduler, Community Eye Care, Intellectual Property Professionals, Geospatial Surveyor (which also covers Land Surveyor and Geomatics Surveyor), and Riggers within the Games Industry.

The package also saw the establishment of new quotas for two occupations: Fish Filleter and Seafood Operative. Existing quotas for 15 roles were renewed. Specific quota allocations were announced, including 50 permits for fish filleters, 100 for seafood operatives, 1,000 for motor mechanics, and 1,495 for care workers. These quotas help manage the number of permits issued for specific occupations, balancing labor needs with broader economic and social considerations.

The inclusion of new construction occupations like Construction Planner/Scheduler and Geospatial Surveyor is expected to support national priorities in housing and infrastructure. For lower-skilled jobs, quotas are intended to ensure that migration complements, rather than replaces, local training and apprenticeship programs.

Review Process and Future Considerations

The review that led to these changes involved a coordinated, whole-of-government approach. It included public consultation and evaluation, with input from various departments responsible for economic migration policy. The Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy considered factors such as skills shortages, workforce supply, and the capacity of public services like housing, health, education, and transport.

Looking ahead, there is a separate proposal that could alter the 50:50 rule in the Employment Permits Act 2024. This rule currently requires employers to have at least 50 percent of their workforce composed of Irish, EEA, UK, or Swiss nationals to qualify for permits. The government is considering amendments that could introduce flexibility, particularly in the health and social care sectors, for roles such as Healthcare Assistants and in services for the elderly and those with disabilities. While this flexibility was not part of the May 2026 changes, it indicates an ongoing effort to adapt the employment permit system to evolving needs. The department’s list of changes officially took effect on May 13, 2026, with the announcement made on May 28, 2026.

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