Government to restrict permits for non-EU workers

THE Government is to refuse non-EU nationals work permits for this country if the job they wish to take up pays less than €30,000 or if it is one of a list of new excluded categories.

The decision comes as the economy continues to constrict. Those who do manage to get a permit after June 1 will also find it harder to get clearance for their partners or children to join them in Ireland.

Citizens of non-EU member states — apart from Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein — require an employment permit to work in this country.