Dublin, Ireland – In a significant move to overhaul its employment permit system, Ireland has enacted the Employment Permits Act 2024, signed into law on June 25. The legislation, administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, aims to consolidate and update existing regulations governing immigration and employment permits.
Key provisions of the new act include the introduction of a specialized employment permit for seasonal workers and dependents. This initiative targets non-European Economic Area nationals seeking seasonal employment opportunities within Ireland during specified periods of the year. A pilot program is scheduled for 2025, initially limited to select employers under specific conditions.
Another pivotal change involves the streamlining of labor market testing procedures. Under the revised regulations, employers are now mandated to advertise job vacancies on two designated online platforms, including EURES (JobsIreland.ie), facilitating a more efficient recruitment process.
Additionally, amendments to the change of employer rules enable holders of general or critical skills employment permits to apply for employer changes after a nine-month period.
The backdrop to these reforms underscores Ireland’s ongoing efforts to modernize its immigration framework and alleviate certain barriers for non-EU/EEA nationals seeking employment. Recent updates include relaxed eligibility criteria for Stamp 4 permissions and streamlined employment eligibility for spouses and partners of eligible employment permit holders, eliminating the need for separate permits.
In response to these changes, the Irish government emphasizes its commitment to balancing the rights of workers with the operational needs of businesses. The implementation of the new act hinges on the signing of a commencement order by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with specific timelines yet to be disclosed.
As developments unfold, BAL will closely monitor immigration policy updates and provide timely updates as information becomes available.