Background information

The Employment Permits Act 2024 was enacted in September 2024 and represents the biggest reform of employment permits legislation in Ireland for more than a decade. According to the Government, the new Act will lead to a more modern and flexible system while also ensuring the maintenance of employment rights. The Act applies to non-EEA nationals who wish to take up eligible employment and residence in the State.

Content of measure

The Employment Permits Act 2024 consolidates a number of pieces of legislation and is designed to ensure the system is more adaptable in order to respond quickly to changes in the labour market and business needs.

Key changes introduced under the Act include:

• enabling subcontractors registered here to access the employment permit system.
• the introduction of a Seasonal Employment Permit, based on strong labour rights, which will support the seasonal needs of certain sectors.
• the ability to change an employment permit to a new employer after nine months to allow for better opportunities for workers and improve working conditions.
• requiring additional conditions such as training and accommodation support for employment permit holders, which will make Ireland a more attractive destination.
• allowing for non-consultant hospital doctors to have a permit which will allow them to work at multiple sites.
• allowing permit holders to be promoted within their roles without the need for a new permit.

Use of measure

N/A

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Seasonal workers Migrants or refugees in employment	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

N/A

Views and reactions

N/A

Sources

• 28 August 2024: Ministers Burke and Higgins welcome law to deliver ‘modern, flexible’ Employment Permits Syste (enterprise.gov.ie)
• 28 August 2024: Employment Permits Act 2024 information not (enterprise.gov.ie)