Ireland operates a managed employment permits system which is designed to support economic growth by addressing genuine skills and labour shortages, while at the same time protecting the domestic labour market.
The system is underpinned by legislation which sets clear statutory criteria in relation to minimum remuneration, qualifications, and eligible and ineligible occupations. Employment permits are granted only where the relevant legislative requirements are met and where the occupation concerned has been identified as experiencing labour or skills shortages.
A key safeguard within the system is the Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT), which applies to General Employment Permits, Seasonal Employment Permits and Contract for Services Employment Permits. The LMNT requires employers to advertise vacancies for prescribed periods, thereby ensuring that suitably qualified candidates from Ireland, the EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland have an opportunity to apply before an employment permit application may be made.
The Employment Permits Act 2024, which commenced in September 2024, modernised and strengthened the employment permits framework, including the Labour Market Needs Test, ensuring that employee protections are maintained and that the domestic labour market continues to be prioritised. There are currently no plans to amend LMNT requirements for occupations to which it applies.
My Department does not hold data on the number of persons on the Live Register or in receipt of jobseeker payments who possess the specific qualifications or experience required for the roles in respect of which employment permits are issued. This information is not collected or assessed as part of the employment permits application process.
The table below sets out the number of employment permits issued in each sector for the years 2022 to 2025, and to date in 2026.
Employment permits form part of a wider, balanced labour market approach and operate alongside ongoing measures to support the recruitment, training and upskilling of workers already resident in the State.
Employment permits 2022-2026
