Govt. To Review Work Permit Occupation List

Ireland’s government is asking for public feedback on its work permit occupation lists – the official job lists that decide which roles can (or can’t) be filled by workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). In other words, businesses and other interested parties are now invited to suggest changes to these lists. This comes at a time when Ireland’s economy is booming (over 2.81 million people are employed and around 90,000 new jobs were created last year), so officials want to make sure the work permit system stays flexible enough to fill any remaining skills gaps.

What are the work permit occupation lists?

The government maintains two key lists for work permits, and they sound technical but are actually straightforward:

  • Critical Skills Occupations List: This covers jobs that are in high demand because they’re hard to fill locally. Think medical professionals, tech (ICT) specialists, scientists, finance experts, and business roles. If a job is on this list, employers can more easily hire someone from outside the EEA to fill it.
  • Ineligible Occupations List: This covers jobs where there’s already plenty of local talent. In these cases, employers generally cannot get work permits to hire non-EEA workers. In short, if a job is on this list, it’s expected that Ireland (or Europe) has enough qualified workers already.

These lists help balance Ireland’s labor market: one list flags shortages, the other flags areas with sufficient local supply.

Recent changes and the current consultation

The work permit lists are reviewed regularly. In the 2023 review, for example, the government added 11 new roles to the Critical Skills list (expanding the list of shortage jobs) and made 32 occupations eligible for a General Employment Permit (meaning they were taken off the Ineligible list).

Now it’s time for another review. The government has opened a consultation period so that anyone who’s affected by these rules can weigh in. Employers, industry groups, government departments, agencies, and other stakeholders can submit their views on which jobs should or shouldn’t be on the lists. For instance, if a company struggles to hire for a particular role and thinks that job should allow work permits, this is the chance to say so.

Key points to know about the consultation:

  • Who can submit: Employers, trade and representative bodies, government departments and agencies – basically anyone with an interest – are welcome to give feedback.
  • What to comment on: You can suggest occupations that should be added to or removed from either the Critical Skills list or the Ineligible list.
  • Deadline: Comments can be submitted through an online form on the Department of Enterprise’s website until 19 September 2025.

Why the review matters

Government officials stress that this process is important for Ireland’s economy. Business Minister Peter Burke pointed out that Ireland essentially has full employment (with over 2.8 million people working and tens of thousands of new jobs last year). In this context, he said it’s “vital to have a strong, flexible work permit system” so that skilled workers from outside the EEA can fill any remaining gaps. In his words, Ireland needs non-EEA talent to “fill the skill and labour gaps we cannot access in Ireland or Europe,” helping to keep the economy competitive. He also noted that the recent changes to the permit rules show how the system can adapt quickly to what industries need.

Minister of State Alan Dillon added that non-EEA workers who fill skill shortages are a vital part of the Irish economy. He emphasized that if a company or stakeholder is having trouble recruiting for a specific job, now is the time to speak up. In Dillon’s words: if you think a certain occupation should be on the Critical Skills list or be eligible for a work permit, you should use this opportunity to share that feedback.

How to share your feedback

If you have ideas about which jobs Ireland should be easier (or harder) to hire non-EEA workers for, make sure to have your say. Here’s how to participate:

  • Online submission: Go to the Department of Enterprise’s consultation webpage and fill out the form with your suggestions.
  • Include details: Be clear about which occupation you’re referring to and why it should be added or removed from a list.
  • Remember the deadline: The consultation closes on 19 September 2025, so submit your input by then.

This review is a rare chance to shape Ireland’s work permit rules. Whether you’re a business owner struggling to hire, a trade group representing workers, or any interested party, the government wants to hear from you. Don’t miss the opportunity to influence which jobs can attract talent from outside the EEA.