Ireland needs simpler work permits to attract global talent, says expert

A report by global think tank ODI suggests Ireland should review its immigration processes as part of its 'greener' construction goals

A simpler, standardised work permit procedure would improve Ireland's ability to attract overseas talent, notably in construction and healthcare, says a leading specialist immigration professional.  Picture: iStock

Ireland needs to simplify its work permit application procedures to allow employers attract the overseas talent required to engage with housing, healthcare and other national crises.

So says Ángel Bello Cortés, a solicitor and managing partner in the Dublin office of Fragomen, a firm of specialist immigration professionals that assists a diverse client base comprised of multinational corporations, local and global SMEs, start-ups and private clients.

By international standards, Mr Cortés says Ireland has an efficient and competitive employment permit system; with online processes, most applications are paperless and have no heavy requirements. Some processes, however, are slow and detrimental to attracting and retaining talent.

“At the end of 2022, the Government made it clear that it was keen to develop a one-stop shop, with a simpler applications procedure, but that will take time,” said Mr Cortés.

“It requires a legal amendment. Until that happens, we need a standardised visa system that is faster and more consistent.” 

Ángel Bello-Cortés, managing partner with Fragomen Ireland.

All non-EU citizens entering Ireland need an entry visa, a work permit and an Irish Resident Permit (IRP) card. The IRP card is the mandatory final step prior to starting work. In Dublin, renewal is done online, but outside the capital the IRP card renewals are done by appointment with the Gardai.

“There is a chronic lack of appointments,” Ángel said. “The Government has promised a one-stop-shop with faster processing times. We know the will is there.

“What I’d like to see is a more standardised approach to visas, IRP cards and a faster reunification of workers living here with their families from overseas. Ideally, if we were to see new legislation on work permits and visas this year, that should be accompanied by the updating of the family reunification regulations.” 

 While noting that Australia and Singapore have faster models, he is keen to point out that Ireland’s permits and visa processes are improving. Irish regulations have seen a leap forward in the past ten years and continue to improve annually.

Each year, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment hosts discussions with industry groups to agree upon a critical skills list. The State also discusses which nationalities should be exempt from needing additional stamps on their visa.

People from the USA and Australia, for instance, do not need a visa, but someone from India, China or Nigeria does. That additional step can cause a 4/6-week delay. For some highly skilled people, that can be the difference between taking a job here or somewhere else.

A recent report by the independent global think tank ODI suggested that Ireland should review its immigration processes as part of its goal to decarbonise the nation’s building stock.

Among its proposals, it suggests that Ireland should put all craft occupations (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, insulation operatives) on the nation’s critical skills list, or create an enhanced general employment permit for the construction sector to attract workers into the occupations in highest shortage.

It also suggests that Ireland should consider a job search permit targeted at construction occupations; and support international protection applicants and refugees in Ireland to access construction jobs.

“How does the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment react to the nation’s skills shortages in real time? Well, one way is the open discussions it hosts with industry groups in regards to the critical skills list,” said Ángel Bello Cortés.

“It regularly hosts these consultations to look at which skills are eligible and which skills should be removed from the list. In a sector like construction, while you look at skills shortages, you also need to look at family reunification regulations.

“After the financial crash in 2008, a lot of non-Irish construction workers left the country and they haven’t returned. There is an argument that if you want to support recruitment in the construction industry, then you have to allow overseas workers to bring their families with them.

“Before 2019, the spouses of work permit holders on the critical skills list could come to Ireland but they couldn’t work here. That changed in 2019 and it helped Ireland to attract more skilled workers. The Department is open to discussions and is open to reviewing regulations in this area.” 

 

The industry groups representing healthcare service providers are making similar arguments to those in the construction sector. The healthcare groups have also seen their suggestions feed into changes in regulations for immigrant workers.

A few months ago, when new rules imposed mandatory minimum salary thresholds for immigrant workers across a series of roles, some employers said they would have preferred more time to prepare for the added costs and the admin time required for payroll to implement these changes. They did not, however, voice resistance to the thinking behind higher salaries attracting higher-skilled workers.

“No one argued that the thresholds had to change,” said Mr Cortés. “The argument was about the short notice. The changes were introduced in December and made mandatory by January. That was just too short notice.

“The industry view of the Irish permits system is that it does a good job of serving a very wide range of industries quite well. The goal for the future is to consolidate the various strategies with legislation that will continue to serve these industries and the interests of the State.”