The Minister has today (Wednesday, 28 August 2024) signed the regulations which will give effect to the Employment Permit Act in Ireland. Changes to work permits designed to make employment permits more liberal will come into effect on Monday 2 September.
Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Peter Burke said the improvements in the new law would allow for a more modern and flexible work permit system and ensure workers' rights are maintained, "which will benefit employers and permit holders alike."
Under the new rules, certain categories of permit holders can change employers after a nine-month period. A new seasonal work permit will be introduced to support the seasonal needs of certain sectors such as farm and fruit picking.
Subcontractors will be given access to the work permit system. However, work permit holders require additional conditions such as training and accommodation support. The new regulations will allow permits for non-consultant hospital doctors to work at multiple sites.
The changes will also allow permit holders to be promoted in their role without the need for a new permit. The new regulations also expand work permit quotas for two key roles.
A new quota of 500 permits will be allocated to the home care sector, while an additional quota of 250 permits will be given to line workers to help relieve pressure on ESB Network's overhead line framework contractors.
"This new law, along with recent measures such as granting employment rights to eligible partners of certain work permit holders and the role of single permit to work and live in Ireland - will go a long way towards achieving this goal. Ireland needs to attract more international talent," said Emer Higgins,( Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail.)
The Employment Permits Act 2024 applies to people from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to take up qualifying work and residence in Ireland.
