Employers race to comply with new rules for non-EU worker permits

Under new immigrant work permit rules, a range of minimum salaries have risen by €4-7k — leaving some employers playing catch-up

Under Ireland's new General Employment Permit (GEP) and related work permit changes, employers will have easier access to non-EU skilled workers including meat processors, foresters, data analysts, healthcare workers, meteorologists, chemical engineers, project engineers and optometrists.

Non-EU people moving to Ireland for work have seen their income increase by at least €4,000 annually — many from €30k up to €34k —  under the newly introduced General Employment Permit (GEP).

Having pushed for the work permits system to deliver faster access to an agreed set of skills to fill key vacancies, employers welcome the expansion of the system. For example, the changes have added 11 roles to the Critical Skills Occupations List, with 32 roles being made eligible for a General Employment Permit.