Ireland

Restrictions on Employment Permits Introduced

Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) recently reduced the number of positions that qualify for a Green Card, a type of employment permit used by highly skilled foreign nationals. Beginning June 1, 2009, the DETE will expand the labor market test requirement and increase fees for Work Permits, an employment permit used by skilled foreign nationals. Additionally, dependents seeking to work in Ireland will no longer be exempt from the labor market test requirement or application fees.

Changes to the Green Card Eligible Professions List

Effective immediately, DETE will no longer issue new Green Cards for the following positions when the yearly salary is less than €60,000:

Healthcare: registered midwives, physiotherapists; psychologists; social workers; medical physicists; and speech and language therapists.

Financial Services: economists; statisticians; underwriters; claims assessors and analysts; securities specialists; fund and investment management specialists; common law jurisdiction lawyers; investment fund professionals; fund accountants; fund valuations professionals; fund administrators; custody specialists; transfer agents; and hedge fund specialists.

Industry/Services: marketing managers.

Foreign nationals working in the positions listed above whose salary is less than €60,000 will be allowed to renew their Green Cards. Additionally, the DETE may continue to issue Green Cards for these positions when the yearly salary is €60,000 or more.

New Requirements and Fees for Work Permits

Effective June 1, 2009, in order to sponsor foreign nationals for Work Permits, employers will be required to first advertise eligible job vacancies with European Employment Services/Foras Áiseanna Saothair (EURES/FAS) for eight weeks and in a national newspaper for six days to demonstrate that no European Economic Area national is available and willing to fill the position. Currently, employers must advertise vacant positions with EURES/FAS for four weeks and in the national press for three days.

Work Permit renewal applications will also be subject to the new labor market test requirement and new fees. The fees for renewal applications will increase by 50 percent to €750 for renewals of up to six months, €1,500 for up to 24 months, and €2,250 for up to 36 months.

Additionally, Work Permits will no longer be issued to work riders, domestic workers or Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers, or for any position paying less than €30,000 per year.

New Requirements and Fees for Dependents

Effective June 1, 2009, dependents seeking to work in Ireland will no longer be exempt from the labor market test requirement or application fees. Dependents will be required to obtain a Green Card or Work Permit independently, subject to the new eligibility criteria and application fees.