June 4, 2026

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has updated Ireland's Employment Permit Occupations Lists, effective 28 May 2026. The changes are the result of the 2025 Review — a formal, evidence-based process run every two years — and they open up work permit access for a significant number of roles that were previously ineligible or restricted.

For Irish businesses struggling to find staff, this is a genuine opportunity. Where you previously couldn't sponsor a work permit for certain roles, you may now be able to.

At Beacon Recruitment, we specialise in helping Irish businesses hire skilled international candidates from outside the EU — managing the work permit process, visa applications, and candidate placement from start to finish. Here's exactly what has changed, and what it means for your business.

What Are the Employment Permit Occupations Lists?

Ireland operates two key lists that govern which roles can and can't be filled by non-EEA workers through the employment permit system:

• The Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL): Roles in high demand, eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP). This permit has a faster, more streamlined process and offers workers a quicker path to long-term residency.
• The Ineligible Occupations List (IOL): Roles that cannot be filled via employment permit, typically because there are sufficient Irish/EEA workers available.

Any role not on either list is eligible for a General Employment Permit (GEP) — the standard route for most international hires.

When roles are added to the CSOL or removed from the IOL, it creates new hiring options for employers who have been unable to recruit locally.

What Changed in the May 2026 Update?

New Roles Added to the Critical Skills List (CSEP)

The following roles are now eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, meaning employers can recruit internationally with fewer barriers and candidates can access fast-track immigration pathways:

• Agronomist
• Construction Planner / Scheduler
• Community Eye Care Ophthalmic Optician
• Intellectual Property Professionals
• Geospatial Surveyor (also known as Land Surveyor or Geomatics Surveyor)
• Riggers (within the Games Industry)

New Roles Now Eligible for a General Employment Permit (GEP)

The following roles have been removed from the Ineligible Occupations List, meaning employers can now apply for a General Employment Permit to hire non-EEA workers into these positions (subject to a Labour Market Needs Test):

• Pharmaceutical Technicians (healthcare-specific)
• Dental Hygienist
• Steel Fixers
• Concrete Pump Operator
• Plastic Lining Technicians
• Fencing Operators / Erectors
• Curtain Wallers
• Printers
• Industrial Machine Knitter

New Quota Allocations

Two new roles have been given quota-restricted permit access for the first time:

• Fish Filleters — 50 General Employment Permits available
• Seafood Operative — 100 General Employment Permits available

Extended Quotas for Existing Eligible Roles

A number of roles that were already accessible under quota have had their quotas extended, meaning more permits are now available. This is particularly significant for hospitality businesses, which have three key management roles extended:

Hospitality

• Hotel / Accommodation Managers — 100 permits available
• Restaurant / Catering Establishment Managers — 200 permits available
• Publicans and Managers of Licensed Premises — 50 permits available
• Catering and Bar Managers — 50 permits available

Healthcare & Social Care

• Care Worker and Home Carer — 1,000 permits available
• Support Worker — 200 permits available

Food & Agriculture

• Butcher — 400 permits available
• Meat Processor Operative — 1,000 permits available
• Farm Workers – Dairy Farm Assistants — 850 permits available
• Horticulture Operative — 850 permits available

Automotive & Transport

• Car / Motor Mechanic, Auto Electrician, Vehicle Technician — 1,000 permits available
• HGV / Bus Mechanics — 400 permits available
• Vehicle Body Builders / Repairers / Body Shop Panel Beaters — 100 permits available
• Vehicle Paint Technicians — 100 permits available
• Vehicle Road Worthiness Tester — 400 permits available

What This Means for Irish Businesses

Ireland is operating at near-full employment. Migrant workers accounted for almost 70% of all employment growth in the past year (CSO, LFS 2025 Q4). The Government has set a target of 300,000 new jobs by 2030, and the employment permit system is a central part of making that happen.

The May 2026 update reflects genuine, evidence-based shortages across a wide range of sectors. Whether you're running a hotel, a dental clinic, a construction firm, or a food processing plant, there are now more routes available to fill the skilled roles you've been struggling to hire for.

Key points to note:

• A General Employment Permit requires the employer to conduct a Labour Market Needs Test (advertising the role for 4 weeks in Ireland and across the EEA) before applying.
• A Critical Skills Employment Permit has no Labour Market Needs Test requirement, making it faster.
• Minimum salary thresholds apply: €36,605 for most GEPs; €40,904 for CSEPs (or €68,911+ where a degree isn't held).
• Quota-restricted roles operate on a first-come, first-served basis — once the quota fills, no further permits can be granted until the next review.

How Beacon Recruitment Can Help

At Beacon Recruitment, we have been helping Irish businesses navigate the employment permit process for years. We manage the entire process end-to-end — from matching you with the right candidate to handling permit applications, visa processing, and airport collection on arrival day.

Whether you're looking to hire for a newly eligible role following the May 2026 update, or you want to take advantage of extended quotas in hospitality, healthcare, or the trades, we'd love to talk.

Our sectors include:

• Hospitality: Head Chefs, Sous Chefs, Restaurant Managers, Hotel Managers, Bar Managers, Catering Managers
• Healthcare: Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Pharmaceutical Technicians
• Construction & Trades: Steel Fixers, Concrete Pump Operators, and more
• And many more roles across multiple sectors

Get in touch with Beacon Recruitment today →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire a Steel Fixer from outside the EU now?
Yes. As of 28 May 2026, Steel Fixers have been removed from the Ineligible Occupations List. Employers can now apply for a General Employment Permit after conducting a Labour Market Needs Test.

Can I hire a Dental Hygienist from outside the EU?
Yes. Dental Hygienists are now eligible for a General Employment Permit under the updated list.

I run a restaurant — can I hire a manager from outside the EU?
Yes. Restaurant and Catering Establishment Managers are eligible under quota (200 GEPs available). Act quickly, as quota places are limited.

How long does the employment permit process take?
Processing times vary, but Critical Skills Employment Permits are typically faster. Beacon manages the full process and keeps you updated at every step.

What is a Labour Market Needs Test?
Before applying for a General Employment Permit, employers must advertise the role for four weeks in Ireland and across the EEA, and demonstrate no suitable local candidate was available.

For official information, visit the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: enterprise.gov.ie