The Government of Ireland has announced the opening of a public consultation to invite submissions from stakeholders on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List under the employment permits system.
These lists play a crucial role in determining which occupations are eligible for work permits for non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals seeking employment in Ireland.
- The Critical Skills Occupations List includes roles that are in high demand but short supply across Ireland and the wider EEA. These occupations typically span key sectors such as healthcare, information and communications technology (ICT), science, engineering, finance, and business services.
- The Ineligible Occupations List outlines roles for which there is currently sufficient labour supply within Ireland and the EEA, and therefore are not eligible for an employment permit.
The most recent review of these lists took place in 2023, resulting in:
- 11 new roles added to the Critical Skills Occupations List, and
- 32 roles becoming newly eligible for a General Employment Permit.
Call for Submissions
As part of the 2025 review, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is seeking feedback from:
- Employers
- Representative bodies
- Government departments and agencies
- Other interested stakeholders
Submissions can focus on occupations that are:
- Currently included on the Critical Skills or Ineligible Occupations Lists, or
- Omitted from either list but should be considered based on current labour market needs.
This is a key opportunity for industry voices to shape Ireland employment permit system to ensure it remains responsive and reflective of real-world labour demands.
“At a time of full employment—with over 2.81 million people at work and 90,000 new jobs created in the past year—it is vital that we maintain a strong and flexible employment permits system. This allows non-EEA nationals to fill roles that cannot be met through the domestic or EEA labour markets, ensuring Ireland’s continued economic competitiveness,”
– Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
“As demonstrated through recent updates to the permits system, we are committed to keeping it responsive to the needs of critical sectors,”
– Minister Burke added.
“Non-EEA nationals who fill skill and labour gaps are a vital part of Ireland’s workforce. If employers or stakeholders face ongoing recruitment challenges for specific occupations, they should use this opportunity to make the case for permit eligibility,”
– Alan Dillon, Minister of State for Small Business, Retail and Employment.
How to Submit Feedback About Employment Permit Ireland
Stakeholders can make their submissions through the online consultation form available on the official website of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Submit your feedback here:
Online Consultation Portal (Note: Replace with exact link when available)
Deadline for submissions: Thursday, 19 September 2025
Further Information about Employment Permit Ireland
To learn more about the employment permit system and the occupational lists under review, please visit:
- Employment Permits Overview
- Critical Skills Employment Permit
- General Employment Permit
- Ineligible Categories of Employment
- Labour Market Needs Test
This consultation is a vital step in ensuring that Ireland’s employment permit system continues to support economic growth, talent attraction, and labour market resilience in a rapidly evolving global workforce landscape.
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