Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
517. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a non-EEA national, specifically a carer from India, may be granted an employment permit where the employer is a private individual; the criteria for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39322/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe employment permits system is administered in accordance with the Employment Permits Act 2024, under which all applications are assessed against the relevant statutory criteria.
In general, a non-EEA national may only be granted an employment permit where they are employed by a registered business in the State. Accordingly, private individuals are not typically eligible to act as employers under the employment permits system.
A quota of 1,000 General Employment Permits for the roles of care worker and home carer was introduced in December 2022 to help address labour shortages in this sector. A further 1,500 permits have since been added via a further quota.
The role of care worker or home carer is eligible for a General Employment Permit, subject to a minimum annual remuneration of €32,691. Employers must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and must satisfy all standard requirements of the employment permits system, including, where applicable, conduct a Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT).
In addition, in certain circumstances, an employment permit may be granted in respect of a carer for persons with exceptional medical needs in private homes. These cases are subject to specific criteria. While the usual requirement to undertake a Labour Market Needs Test in respect of a General Employment Permit in not required under these circumstances, applicants must provide evidence that the foreign national is a trained medical professional (doctor or nurse) specialising in the area of illness of the person for whom they will be caring, or documentation confirming the foreign national in respect of whom the application is made, has a long history of caring for the person concerned.
Full details of the eligibility criteria for are available on my Department’s website - https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/publication-files/care-workers-and-home-carers-employment-permit-checklist.pdf
