On 28 May 2026 Minister Burke and Minister Dillon announced multiple updates to the employment permit system following the comprehensive review that took place in summer 2025. The 32 updates announced aim to target ongoing shortages in the Ireland labour market, namely: construction, healthcare, transport and agri-food sectors.
What Are The Key Changes?
In order to target labour market shortages, certain occupations will be added to the Critical Skills Occupation List, making them eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) in Ireland; and certain occupations will be removed from the Ineligible Occupations List, making them eligible for a General Employment Permit (GEP) Ireland. Eligibility is subject to multiple criteria.
New Roles Added to the Critical Skills Occupation List (CSEP)
The following roles will become eligible for a CSEP:
- 2112 Agronomist
- 2436 Construction Planner/Scheduler
- 2214 Community Eye Care Ophthalmic Optician
- 2419 Intellectual Property Professionals
- 2434 Geospatial Surveyor
- 3417 Riggers (within the games industry)
New Roles Removed from the Ineligible Occupations List (GEP)
The following roles will become eligible for a GEP:
- 3217 Pharmaceutical Technicians (healthcare specific)
- 3218 Dental Hygienist
- 5319 Plastic Lining Technicians | Steel Fixers | Fencing Operators/Erectors | Curtain Wallers
- 5422 Printers
- 8137 Industrial Machine Knitter
- 8229 Concrete Pump Operator
Changes to Quota Restrictions
Changes to the quota restrictions have also been announced, with a large number of roles receiving increased quotas. This will most prominently impact the following sectors: hospitality, healthcare, vehicle mechanics, and agri-food.
What This Means for Employers
This is a welcome update for impacted industries, allowing non-nationals to be hired into roles that are facing shortages. The changes should address immediate shortages as well as supporting long-term economic growth. Employers in the affected sectors should review their current workforce needs and assess whether any open or planned roles now qualify under the updated CSEP or GEP criteria. It is also worth noting that employment permit salary thresholds apply to both permit types and must be met alongside any occupation eligibility requirements.
If you have any questions about these changes and how they may impact your business, contact our Ireland immigration team to discuss your options. You can reach us by email at info@hudsonmckenzie.com or by telephone at +44 (0) 20 3318 5794.
For office locations, please visit our Our Offices page.
The information provided in this blog is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
Get the latest insights on global immigration delivered straight to your inbox
