Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
139. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to review the work visa arrangements for persons in high demand roles, such as in the STEM area, in particular, the rule that an employer must employ at least 50% of non-national workers from the EEA. [30075/26]
View answerIreland’s employment permits system supports enterprise growth and economic activity, and is designed to strike an appropriate balance between facilitating access to international labour in key, high demand roles while maintaining safeguards for the domestic and EEA workforce.
Access to employment permits is facilitated through the occupations lists, identifying highly skilled occupations in science, medical, ICT, and engineering fields on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
On the Ineligible Occupations List are roles already well served by the labour market. The system targets skills shortages in sectors critical to competitiveness and growth, facilitating employment in the State through the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
The Occupations Lists are subject to periodic review, informed by labour market data, vacancy and earnings trends, and analysis from relevant skills bodies. The review process is a delicate balancing act, overseen by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy which facilitates an integrated approach to informing policy development, and supports efforts to ensure that the permits system remains responsive to current and emerging skills and workforce requirements.
The current review commenced with an open public consultation during the Summer of last year. My Department is currently finalising the outcome of the review, and the updated occupations lists will be published in the coming weeks.
I am also aware of the challenges faced by some employers in certain sectors with regard to compliance with the 50:50 rule. I have not been made aware of particular constraints faced by STEM related roles in compliance with the 50:50 rule. To foster the development of indigenous enterprise, exemptions to the 50:50 rule are already in place for start-ups, and single-employee companies.
Additionally, my officials are examining Ireland’s use of the 50:50 rule in general and interpretations of Union Preference as set out in the Employment Permits Act 2024. This policy review will take into account concerns around compliance with the rule and will include the observations provided by key government departments, including the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. It will also consider any potential revisions of the 50:50 rule, but noting that any proposed change will require a legislative amendment as this rule is provided for in primary legislation.
Successive national strategy and economic action plans prepared in recent years reference clearly the need to attract and retain skilled workers from across the globe to deliver on our national industry, healthcare, infrastructure, and broader socio-economic goals. My Department continues to review and refine the employment permits system to ensure that it supports our competitiveness on a global labour market, supports enterprise and remains fair, responsive and aligned with Ireland’s wider economic and social needs.
