Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
281. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the rationale for the current €40,000 minimum salary threshold for certain critical skills employment permit roles; and when this threshold was last reviewed. [31888/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department takes an integrated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages through reviews of the eligibility and criteria 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.
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 is overseen 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.
In December 2025, my Department published the Employment Permits Minimum Annual Remuneration – Outcome of the Roadmap Review 2025. This sets out the policy rationale, evidence basis, and the revised phased roadmap for changes to the minimum salary thresholds applicable across the employment permits system. The review was undertaken in response to a range of structural changes in the labour market since minimum salary thresholds were last comprehensively updated, including changes to average earnings, rising costs of living and of doing business, 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 review outcome.
From 1 March 2026, the minimum annual salary requirement is €40,904 for eligible roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List where the employee holds a relevant degree, and €68,911 for eligible occupations not on that list, with a lower threshold of €36,848 applying only in limited and clearly defined circumstances for recent graduates.
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 those just entering, or already in the domestic workforce. Indexation linking employment permit salary thresholds to changes in average weekly earnings, will be integral to ensuring that these thresholds remain effective into the future.
Following the conclusion of the roadmap period, indexation will continue to apply on an annual basis across permit types providing a transparent and evidence-based mechanism for maintaining alignment with earnings trends.
