From 22 April 2019, new employment permits regulations will come into existence which broaden the eligible construction-related occupations and ensure that there are enough workers to manage the logistical workload arising from Brexit. The regulations include additions to the Critical Skills Occupations List and deletions from the Ineligible Lists of Occupations resulting in an overall relaxing of the Irish employment permit rules.
Changes to the Critical Skills Occupations List:
The following occupations will be added to the Critical Skills Occupations List and will be eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit from 22 April 2019:
-
Civil Engineers
-
Quantity Surveyors
-
Construction Project Managers
-
Mechanical and Electrical Engineers with BIM expertise
-
High Performance Directors and Coaches for high-level sports organisations.
Changes to the Ineligible Lists of Occupations
The following occupations will be removed from the Ineligible Occupations List and will be eligible for a General Employment Permit:
-
Sheet metal workers
-
Welding trades
-
Pipefitters
-
Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineers
-
Shuttering Carpenters
-
Glaziers, window fabricators & fitters
-
Scaffolders, stagers & riggers
-
Crane drivers
-
Transport and Distribution Clerks and Assistants (Freight Forwarders; Cargo & Freight Agents; Brokerage Clerks) subject to a quota of 300
-
Plasterers subject to a quota of 250
-
Bricklayers subject to a quota of 250
Conclusion
Ireland is continuing to make practical preparations for Brexit and our economic migration policy remains accommodating to the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill gaps in the domestic economy.
The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other advice.
