The Government is to make changes to the employment permits system amid growing demand for workers from outside the European Economic Area.
A new law will be published in the autumn, which is designed to make the permits system more flexible and better able to respond to evolving labour market needs.
A seasonal employment permit will be introduced for short-stay and recurrent employment situations in sectors where this type of employment occurs.
Salary thresholds will be index-linked to ensure they keep in line with wage growth.
The new law will provide for additional conditions, such as training or upskilling, to be attached to the granting of an employment permit.
It will also enable subcontractors to access the employment permit system.
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English said the new law will help to modernise the employment permit system.
“With a record 2.5 million plus people at work in Ireland, the new Employment Permits Bill will allow us to better compete for global talent, to fill labour market gaps, to support local enterprises and to encourage foreign direct investment while at the same time protecting the rights of workers in the State,” he said.
“The proposed changes are intended to improve the system’s flexibility without changing the core goal of synchronising the skills and labour needs in the economy, while prioritising the Irish and EEA labour pool,” Mr English added.
Article Source: Changes to work permits system planned – Brian O’Donovan – RTE