Recent Updates To The Employment Permits Act 2024
The Employment Permits Act 2024 has introduced several recent updates that came into effect on Monday the 2nd of September 2024, aimed at improving the employment permit system in Ireland to make it more flexible, modern, and responsive to the current needs of the labour market. There are a number of key changes that have multiple impacts on the recruitment sector which are outlined below.
Employment Permits Act 2024 Explained
An Act to provide for the grant of employment permits to certain foreign nationals for the purpose of permitting such persons to be in employment in the State and incorporates the following:
What Do These Changes Entail?
The Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit:
Employers may hire dependant partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, subject to the dependant partner applying to the Department of Justice for permission.
Agencies and subcontractors’ arrangements:
Businesses can now be the employer of a permit holder carrying out the work of a client.
At Servisource (part of CPL), any applications submitted to the Dep of Justice must be pre- approved by the People Experience Team.
Change of employer:
Some permit holders (Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit) may change their employer after a period of 9 months (previously 12), subject to conditions. They must be transferring to an occupation similar to the one for which they have been permitted to enter the State.
Six-month rule:
Permit holders must now commence employment within six months of the permit being granted.
Progression:
Permit holders may be promoted and transferred internally in the same company without the requirement for a new permit.
Minimum Annual Salary:
The Minimum salary amount will now be indexed against the change in weekly earnings as calculated by the CSO.
Non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs):
A new type of General Employment permit is now available for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) which would allow them to work on multiple sites for up to two years under one permit.
Seasonal Employment Permit:
There is a new ‘Seasonal Employment Permit’ to address the seasonal labour needs in certain sectors, such as horticulture. Employers must pre-register as Seasonal Employers for this permit, to be launched in 2025.
International Recruitment at Servisource
A message from Aileen McCann, Associate Director- Permanent Healthcare Division at Servisource
The recent changes to Ireland’s employment permit system signify a commitment to creating a more agile and inclusive job market.
As the country positions itself as a hub for innovation and growth, these modifications to the employment permit system play a pivotal role in shaping its future workforce.
As a counterpoint, the immediate introduction of certain changes particularly to minimum remuneration, will undoubtedly have an adverse effect on many businesses who are already struggling with the increased cost of doing business.
Our team recruit Nurses and Care Workers across all disciplines from around the world.
We manage all aspects of the recruitment process including interview scheduling, compliance checks, and even welcome international candidates by meeting them at the airport. This means healthcare workers are ready to begin work without administrative issues, and can focus on what matters most, the patients.
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