The Republic of Ireland has expanded its employment permit system to attract more international workers and fix ongoing staff shortages in key sectors, including construction, healthcare, transport, and agriculture.
The government confirmed 32 changes to the system following a thorough review of occupation lists that began in summer 2025.
Under the new rules, six jobs have been added to the Critical Skills Employment Permit list, and nine roles can now get General Employment Permits without any limits on numbers. Two jobs will face new quota limits, while 15 existing quotas have been renewed.
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The update aims to make it easier for companies to recruit overseas staff when they cannot find people with the right skills locally. This will help ease hiring pressures in areas critical to building homes, providing healthcare, developing infrastructure, and producing food.
