I am acutely aware of the challenges experienced by employers across the economy in securing talent. My Department takes an integrated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages through reviews of the eligibility of occupations for employment permits, ongoing engagement with government departments, sector representatives, and research experts ensuring that the permits system remains responsive to current and emerging skills and workforce requirements, particularly where shortages are sustained or structural in nature.
These reviews are informed by labour market data, vacancy and earnings trends, analysis from relevant skills bodies, and submissions received from stakeholders. This includes research and analysis from bodies such as the SOLAS Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). The reasoning and decision making process in determining changes or extensions to quotas is considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy which includes representatives of key policy government departments.
The employment permits system is grounded in legislation that sets clear and objective criteria for minimum salary thresholds, qualifications, and the eligibility of occupations. These criteria ensure that permits are issued only where there is a demonstrable shortage and that the system remains fair, transparent, and responsive to Ireland’s labour market needs. The labour market needs test (LMNT) is a core safeguard within the system. It ensures that job vacancies are first made available to Irish and EEA nationals before an employer may recruit a non EEA national.
At the end of last year my Department published the Employment Permits: Minimum Annual Remuneration – Outcome of the Roadmap Review 2025, which sets out the policy rationale, evidence basis, and the revised phased roadmap for implementation of the thresholds applicable across the employment permits system. The review was undertaken in response to a range of structural changes in the labour market since MAR thresholds were last comprehensively updated including sustained inflationary pressures, increases in average earnings, rising costs of living, and changing labour market dynamics. The review was also informed by a public consultation process which received over 150 submissions from employers, permit holders, trade unions and representative bodies, the views of which were carefully considered in shaping the final approach.
Sufficient remuneration thresholds operate as a key protection, ensuring that the recruitment of non-EEA nationals does not place downward pressure on wages or conditions, or undermine employment opportunities or career progression for the domestic and EEA workforce. The review found that applying indexation is essential to prevent MAR thresholds from becoming eroded over time by inflation or wage growth and to ensure that they continue to serve their intended policy purpose. Following the conclusion of the roadmap period, indexation will apply on an ongoing basis across all permit categories, providing a transparent and evidence-based mechanism for maintaining alignment with earnings trends.
The effect of these policy instruments ensures that the employment permits system remains fair, legally robust, and economically credible, supporting enterprise needs while protecting employment standards and preserving the integrity of the wider labour market.
