Job offer

You must have the qualifications, skills and experience required for the job. You must be directly employed and paid by your employer. Work permit applications from recruitment agencies and other intermediaries are not acceptable under the scheme. The employer must be trading in Ireland, registered with the Revenue Commissioners and with the Companies Registration Office. A work permit will not be issued to companies where the granting of the permit would mean that more than 50% of the employees would be non-EEA nationals.

Labour market needs test

A new application for a work permit must be accompanied by documentary evidence that a labour market needs test has been carried out. From 1 June 2009 the test requires that the vacancy must have been advertised with the FÁS/EURES employment network for 8 weeks (previously 4 weeks) and in local and national newspapers for 6 days (previously 3 days). This is to ensure that, in the first instance an EEA or Swiss national or in the second instance, a Bulgarian or Romanian national cannot be found to fill the vacancy.

Occupations that are ineligible for work permits

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, following consultation with FÁS, has announced occupational sectors that are considered ineligible for work permits
Since 16 April 2009 work permits are not available for the following occupations.

• Clerical and administrative staff
• General operatives and labourers
• Operator and production staff
• Retail sales staff, sales representatives and supervisory or specialist sales staff
• Drivers - from 1 June 2009 this includes HGV drivers
• Nursery/crèche workers, child minders/nannies
• Hotel, tourism and catering staff except chefs
• The following craft workers and apprentice/trainee craft workers: bookbinders, bricklayers, cabinet makers, carpenters/joiners, carton makers, fitters - construction plant, electricians, instrumentation craftspeople, fitters, tilers - floor/wall, mechanics - heavy vehicles, instrumentation craftspersons, metal fabricators, mechanics - motor, originators, painters and decorators, plumbers, printers, engineers - refrigeration, sheet metal workers, tool makers, vehicle body repairers, machinists - wood, plasterers and welders
• Domestic workers including carers in the home and childminders (for work permit applications received on or after 1 June 2009)
• Work riders -horseracing - (for work permit applications received on or after 1 June 2009)