What is the update?

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has announced that holders of a Stamp 4 Permission provided by the Department of Justice may apply for an employment permit to reside in Ireland if their personal circumstances have changed.

Additionally, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has announced that skills and labour shortages in Construction, Logistics, Hospitality and Agri-food sectors have been addressed. As a result, changes have been implemented to the employment permit system for affected industries.

Key points:

Individuals in receipt of a Stamp 4 Permission whose circumstances have changed should note there may be action required from them if there has been a change in:

• Their family situation
• Employment status
• Completion of recent studies

Individuals falling into the above categories should contact the Department of Justice’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in the first instance. Where an application for an employment permit is submitted from a holder of a Stamp 4 permission, an explanation as to why the non-EEA National is seeking to make an application for an employment permit may be required.

In addressing the labour shortages in construction, logistics, hospitality and agri-food sectors the below changes have been implemented:

• Most construction sector jobs are now eligible for a General Employment Permit
• Quota to be removed for HGV driver work permits
• 350 General Employment Permits for hospitality managers
• Social workers to be eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit
• Dispensing opticians to be eligible for General Employment Permit
• New General Employment Permit quotas for 1,000 horticulture operatives (500 meat de-boners, 1500 meat processing operatives and 100 dairy farm assistants)
• New General Employment Permit quota of 100 for work riders

Who is affected:

Foreign nationals who may seek to make an employment permit application.

Analysis & Comments:

Deloitte welcomes a more diversified employment permit system, which will create more employment opportunities in Ireland for non-EEA nationals, and facilitate applications where Stamp 4 permission holders have experienced changes in their personal circumstances.

Should you require assistance or have any queries on the above update in relation to your employees, please do not hesitate to contact us.