Changes to Employment Permits Critical Skills, Ineligible Lists of Occupations and Quota’s

5 November 2021

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2021, Statutory Instrument SI No 559 of 2021, introduced the following changes as of 27 October 2021.

Revised Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations

Inclusion to the Critical Skills Occupations List. The following occupation has been included to the list:

  • Social Worker

 

Ineligible Occupations. The following occupations were removed from the Ineligible List:

  • Dispensing Optician

  • Construction Sector Occupations

  • Electricians

  • Masons

  • Roofers, roof tilers and slaters

  • Plumbers and heating & ventilating engineers

  • Carpenters & Joiners

  • Floorers and wall tilers

  • Painters and Decorators

  • Construction and building trades supervisors

 

Quota’s

It is important to note that in respect of all new Quotas established for General Employment Permit roles (i.e. for Horticulture Operatives, Dairy Farm Assistants, Meat Deboners, Meat Processing Operatives, Hospitality Managers, Work Riders) as well as Construction sector roles now eligible for a GEP, a new Labour Market Needs Test must be undertaken from the date these changes take effect (27th October 2021). 

Please note if any amendments are made to the online advertisement and it is re-published, it must run for a further 28 days from the date the change/edit was made.  Failure to run the advert unedited for a full 28 days will result in an invalid LMNT.

  

  • Meat Processing Operative increased by 1,500 Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €22,000 and provision of both suitable accommodation and training (to include language training)

  • Meat Deboner increased by 500 Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €27,500 and provision of both suitable accommodation and training (to include language training)

  • Horticulture Operatives increased by 750

  • New quota for Dairy Farm Assistants by 100

    • Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €30,000

    • No requirement regarding accommodation and training

  • New quota of 100 General Employment permits for Work Riders

  • New quota of 350 General Employment permits for Catering and Bar Managers, Hotel and Accommodation Managers, Restaurant and Catering Establishments Managers and Publicans and Managers of licensed premises with the requirement that the permit holder have the following:

  • A recognised relevant third level qualification in hospitality management and

    • 5 years’ experience in the role

  • Quota removed for HGV Driver

    • Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €30,000