UPDATES TO EMPLOYMENT PERMITS SYSTEM TO ADDRESS ONGOING SKILLS AND LABOUR SHORTAGES ACROSS KEY SECTORS ANNOUNCED
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, and Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Retail, Small Businesses and Employment Alan Dillon, have announced updates to Ireland’s employment permits system.
These updates, published on 28th May 2026, aim to address ongoing skills and labour shortages across key sectors, in the EU construction sector, the healthcare sector, the transport sector, and the agri-food sectors.
6 roles have been recommended to be made eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEPs), whilst 9 roles are recommended to be made eligible for General Employment Permits (GEPs).
2 roles have also been recommended to be made eligible for GEPs subject to newly established quotas. 15 roles are recommended to have their existing GEP quotas renewed.
The Government has also approved a proposal to begin preparations to amend the Employment Permits Act 2024. The amendments relate to the criteria that restricts the number of employment permits individual employers can hold, known as the “50:50” rule. The “50:50 rule” means an employer must ensure at least 50% of its workforce are UK/EEA nationals.
For Healthcare Assistants, in Nursing Homes, Disability Care, and Homecare, the findings of an internal review of the impact of this rule on this sector found that flexibility of the 50:50 rule is required to sustain long-term care capacity.
A summary of the changes to the CSEP and GEP procedure is below:
Occupations added to Critical Skills Occupation List:
- Agronomist
- Construction Planner/Scheduler
- Community Eye Care
- Intellectual Property Professionals
- Geospatial Surveyor (also known as Land Surveyor and Geomatics Surveyor)
- Riggers (within the Games Industry)
Occupations removed from Ineligible Occupations List, making them eligible for a General Employment Permit:
- Pharmaceutical Technicians (Healthcare specific)
- Dentistry – Dental Hygienist
- Plastic Lining Technicians
- Steel Fixers
- Fencing Operators / Erectors
- Curtain Wallers
- Printers
- Industrial Machine Knitter
- Concrete Pump Operator
Occupations eligible for a General Employment Permit under Quota
New Quota:
- Fish Filleters
- Seafood Operative
Renewed Quota:
- Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors
- Restaurant / catering establishment managers and proprietors
- Publicans and managers of licensed premises
- Catering and Bar Managers
- Support Worker
- HGV/Bus Mechanics
- Car/ Motor Mechanic, Auto Electrician, Vehicle Technician
- Vehicle Body Builders / Repairers / Body Shop Panel Beaters
- Vehicle Paint Technicians
- Automotive Technician
- Butcher
- Home Support Services
- Meat Processor Operative (Dec 2025)
- Farm Workers – Dairy Farm Assistants (Dec 2025)
- Horticulture Operative
The full report can be found here: Employment Permits Occupations Lists: Report of the Review 2025
If you have any queries relating to Employment Permits please contact Berkeley Solicitors to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced legal advisors.
This blog article has been prepared on the basis of current immigration law and policy, which is subject to change. Please keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page where articles relating to updates and changes in immigration law and policy are regularly posted.
