Ineligible List of Occupations
The official list of jobs for which an employment permit will not be granted, regardless of the employer's circumstances.
This is the first thing to check before planning an international hire. Many entry-level hospitality roles — such as bar staff, waiting staff, and kitchen porters — have historically sat on this list, meaning no permit is possible for them no matter how severe your shortage. The list is reviewed periodically and roles do move off it (chef grades being the famous example), so check the current version rather than relying on what was true last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check the current list published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and match against the official occupation classification rather than your internal job title. A 'restaurant supervisor' and a 'waiter' may sound similar on a roster but can fall on opposite sides of the eligibility line.
The State's position is that roles on the list can be filled from the Irish and EEA labour market, so permits are reserved for genuine shortage occupations. Employers may disagree with individual listings — hospitality bodies have lobbied successfully to move chef grades off the list — but while a role is listed, no application will succeed.
Historically no — general waiting and bar roles have sat on the Ineligible List of Occupations, meaning no employment permit can be granted for them regardless of your shortage. The list is reviewed periodically and roles do move, so always check the current version before ruling a hire in or out.