Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. It is a rules-based system which does not discriminate by country of origin and operates independently of bilateral agreements. Employment permit policy is not linked to, nor altered by, the conclusion of free trade agreements, including the EU–India Free Trade Agreement.
There are no current plans to amend employment permit policy, including Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit eligibility, as a consequence of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement or any associated agreements. Accordingly, the Department has not undertaken projections of employment permit application volumes by sector or nationality arising from that agreement.
Employment permits legislation prescribes a range of criteria applicable to all applications, including minimum remuneration thresholds, qualifications, and eligible occupations. Applications are assessed on the basis of these statutory criteria and are not determined by gender, ethnicity, or country of origin.
Employment permit policy is kept under constant review to ensure it remains responsive to labour market needs. This includes regular reviews of the Occupations Lists, minimum annual remuneration thresholds, and permit criteria, informed by labour market evidence and ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders and Government Departments. These reviews take account of wider public policy considerations, including national strategies on housing supply, infrastructure capacity, and public service provision.
