Work Permits

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Questions (521)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

521. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in instances where the approval an application for the renewal of a work permit is significantly delayed through no fault of the permit holder but eventually approved and where the successful renewal is accompanied by a higher minimum annual remuneration and if that higher minimum annual remuneration be back dated to the time of the prior permit's expiration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39576/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

The Employment Permits System is administered in accordance with the Employment Permits Act 2024, which provides the statutory framework governing the processing of employment permit applications, including the setting of Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) thresholds.

Revised MAR thresholds were introduced under the Employment Permits Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 643 of 2025) and came into effect on 1 March 2026. These changes apply to all employment permit applications, including renewals, received on or after that date.

In accordance with established practice, employment permit applications are assessed against the legislative and policy criteria in place at the time the application is received by the Department. Accordingly, renewal applications submitted prior to 1 March 2026 are considered against the MAR thresholds that applied at that time, while applications received on or after 1 March 2026 must meet the updated thresholds.