Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
289. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total number of individuals who are nationals of countries outside the UK or EEA who have been granted work permits in each of the years from 2011 to 2025 and to date in 2026. [47219/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland operates a managed employment permits system designed to facilitate the admission of appropriately skilled non-EEA and non-UK nationals to address labour and skills shortages in the economy, while ensuring opportunities remain available for Irish, EEA and UK nationals. The system is demand-led and employer-driven, with permits issued only where the statutory criteria under the Employment Permits Act are met. It aims to maximise the benefits of economic migration while minimising disruption to the labour market and supporting enterprise and economic growth.
The table below sets out the total number of employment permits (including renewals) issued to nationals of countries outside the EEA and the United Kingdom for each of the years from 2011 to 2025, and to date in 2026.
|
Year |
Number of Employment Permits Issued |
|
2011 |
5,200 |
|
2012 |
4,007 |
|
2013 |
3,863 |
|
2014 |
5,495 |
|
2015 |
7,253 |
|
2016 |
9,373 |
|
2017 |
11,361 |
|
2018 |
13,398 |
|
2019 |
16,383 |
|
2020 |
16,419 |
|
2021 |
16,275 |
|
2022 |
39,955 |
|
2023 |
30,981 |
|
2024 |
39,390 |
|
2025 |
31,044 |
|
2026* |
15,535 |
*2026 figures are to date (02/06/2026).
