To meet labour market needs and retain the talent already in the country, Ireland will introduce more flexible work permit rules starting next week.

Starting September 2, 2024, several important changes will come into effect to facilitate the process for foreign workers and employers, reports Schengen.News.

Announcing the news, Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, said improving the country’s work permit laws would allow for a more flexible system.

He stressed that the improvement would ensure that workers’ rights were protected.

The improvements in the new law enable a more modern and flexible work permit system while ensuring that workers’ rights are protected.

What are the main changes brought about by the new rules?

As RTE explains, under the new rules, certain categories of work permit holders will be able to change employers after just nine months.

In order to meet the demand for labour in certain sectors, such as fruit picking, Ireland will also introduce a new seasonal work permit.

Although the authorities have not yet announced the details of this permit, the document is aimed at people who only want to work in the country for a short period of time.

For example, berry pickers are only needed in the country during the harvest season. This permit is expected to bring significant benefits to this group of foreign workers and to companies in the country that require more workers at certain times of the year.

Another change is that work permit holders will now be able to be promoted within their position without having to apply for a new permit.

In addition, the new rules will require additional requirements such as accommodation and training to support those who have work permits.

New quotas of 500 and 250 permits for the home care sector and for assembly line workers respectively

According to RTE, a new quota of a total of 500 work permits will be issued for the care sector. In addition, a further quota of 250 work permits will be issued for assembly line workers.

By increasing the quota, Ireland aims to help reduce the burden on ESB Networks’ overhead line framework contract partners.

As Minister Burke emphasised, all of these changes will bring great benefits to both licence holders and employers in Ireland.

In addition, Irish Minister for Business, Employment and Trade Emer Higgins stressed that Ireland needs to attract more foreign talent before the skills shortage becomes even greater.