Work Permit Restrictions in Ireland June 2009

A number of changes to the qualifying conditions for work permits for new entrants to Ireland come into effect from 1 June 2009:

• More job categories will be ineligible for new work permits (work riders, domestic workers and HGV drivers now ineligible)
• No new permits will be issued for low-paid jobs, that is, jobs paying less than €30,000 per year
• The labour market needs test will be strengthened by doubling the time a job vacancy has to be advertised with EURES/FAS to 8 weeks, and extending the time for the national press advertisement to six days
• Higher fees will be charged on renewal of work permits, and renewals will require a labour market needs test
• Spouses and dependants of future principal work permit holders will have to apply for permits in their own right subject to the standard eligibility criteria and fees for work permits

In addition, a number of occupations are being removed with immediate effect from the Green Card eligible list where the salary payable for the job is in the range €30,000-€59,999 per annum. These jobs are :

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.