Healthcare Assistant and Home Carer / Care Worker - Increase to Minimum Annual Remuneration
19th December 2024
The Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration Thresholds (MAR) set out a number of major adjustments to the remuneration thresholds for employment permits. The first round of increases commenced in January 2024 for most permit types and occupations.
Following engagement with the sector and the Department of Health, it was agreed that the increase to remuneration for HCAs/Carers be deferred until January 2025.
Regulations to increase the minimum remuneration for Health Care Assistants, Home Carers and Care Workers from €27,000 to €30,000 have now been prepared to take effect from 17th January 2025.
Therefore, the key date in the operationalisation of this change which applies to applications for new and renewals is:
17th January 2025
Key Details for the Processing Team
- This increase has been communicated to the sector over the year.
- All Employment Permit applications received prior to 17th January will be processed under the current remuneration thresholds. Previously issued Employment Permits which are “live” will not be impacted.
- GEP applications for these roles require a standard Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) be completed for 4 weeks – which results in the first applications for newly eligible GEP roles arriving after 17th January.
- If a GEP application is submitted on or after the 17th January the LMNT provided should advertise the role in question at the new higher minimum salary.
- If the role is advertised at €27,000 but the salary is €30,000 the application will be deemed invalid.
Labour Market Needs Test
From 17th January 2025 these roles will require an updated accurate LMNT in respect of salaries at €30,000. Employers are advised to advertise vacancies for employment permit applications which are expected to be submitted after 17th January at or above the adjusted MAR.
Employers seeking to hire individuals as HCAs/Carers are advised to take note of the increased salary thresholds when advertising roles to test the domestic/EEA labour market under the LMNT.
The LMNT should advertise the role in question at the relevant minimum of €30,000 in order to reflect the new salary requirement coming into force. LMNT’s which do not reflect the appropriate salary will not satisfy the requirement and will result in the rejection of an application and delays to the system.
Deferral of increases to Minimum Annual Remuneration
9 December 2024
Proposed increases to Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) for employment permits will not take place in January 2025, pending the outcome of a review.
Read the full notice: Deferral of increases to Minimum Annual Remuneration for employment permits
Update on quota for Meat Processing Operative
8 November 2024
The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2023, Statutory Instrument No. 680/2023, announced a quota for Meat Processing Operative at a maximum quota of 1,000 General Employment Permits.
This quota has now been filled. Applications submitted and awaiting processing will now be rejected. No new applications for Meat Processing Operative should be submitted.
Update on quota for Car Mechanic, Motor Mechanic, Auto Electrician, Motor Vehicle Technician
7 November 2024
The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2024, Statutory Instrument No. 598/2024 has extended the quota for Car mechanic, Motor Mechanic, Auto Electrician, Motor Vehicle Technician by 200 General Employment Permits.
Employment Permits Act 2024 commencement and information note
28 August 2024
The Employment Permits Act 2024 comes into effect on Monday, 2 September 2024 and introduces new and amended provisions to the current legislation.
The information note on key changes highlights the new provisions and provides users of the employment permit system with guidance on how applications for employment permits will be considered under the new legislation.
Users who are currently considering submitting an application for an employment permit that requires a labour market needs test (LMNT) are advised to become familiar with the upcoming adjustment to the criteria. The new LMNT criteria will require the applicant to publish the vacancy notice both with the Department of Social Protection JobsIreland and EURES online employment services, and on a second online platform jointly for at least 28 days.
As the employment permits system will remain online throughout the introduction of the Act, changes in respect of replacing outdated referencing will be an ongoing process. We appreciate users understanding in this regard.
Further announcements and checklists will be made available over the coming period to keep employment permit users informed on the revised legislation.
Related press release: Ministers Burke and Higgins welcome law to deliver ‘modern, flexible’ Employment Permits System
150 employment permits for Sea Fishers
3 July 2024
The role of sea fisher in the Irish fishing fleet is now eligible for a General Employment Permit with a minimum salary requirement of €34,000, up to a quota of 150 permits. This has been introduced to address skills shortages in the Irish fishing fleet. This new quota has been introduced following a recommendation by a Cross-Governmental group to move the role of sea fisher from the AWS to the Employment Permit System.
See press release for full details: Minister Higgins announces 150 employment permits for sea fishers
Notice regarding Temporary Suspension of 'Return and Refund' process
18 June 2024
The Employment Permit System is currently experiencing a high level of demand. In order to meet this demand and improve the way in which the service is delivered, a review of the ‘Return and Refund’ process is currently being conducted.
Therefore, from 19 June 2024 the Return and Refund process for General Employment Permit applications will be temporarily suspended. All General Employment Permit applications will now be processed in full. Therefore, the 100% refund will not apply. Any refused or withdrawn applications will receive a 90% refund.
For the attention of companies in the agricultural sector
9 February 2024
Following the outcome of the recent Review of the Occupational Lists by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, a number of quotas were established from 17 January 2024.
- 5431 – Butcher/ Boner (350)
- 9119 – Horticulture Worker (1,000)
- 8111 – Meat Processing Operative (1,000)
It is important to note that applications for these roles require a standard Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) to be carried out in line with the new minimum salary thresholds, that is, €30,000 Meat Processing Operative and Horticulture Worker and €34,000 for Butcher/ Boner. As such the first applications for roles under these quotas should be submitted from 14 February 2024 (28 days after 17 January).
If the EURES advertisement was commenced on 17 January 2024 it must run fully and unaltered through 13 February (28 full days). Therefore, valid applications can be submitted from 14 February 2024 at 9am.
Applications received before 9am on 14 February 2024 will be rejected.
Outcome of the Review of the Employment Permits Occupations Lists and Minimum Annual Remuneration Thresholds
22 December 2023
The public consultation on the review of the occupations lists launched on 26 June 2023. It provided an 8-week period for sector representatives and employers to make evidence-based submissions seeking changes to the lists of eligible occupations.
In parallel to the 2023 Review of the Employment Permits Occupations Lists the department also carried out a review of the existing framework of minimum annual remuneration (MAR) thresholds applicable to employment permits. This review produced a roadmap for threshold increases announced in December 2023.
Note: There is no change to the remuneration threshold of €27,000 for the occupations of Healthcare Assistant and Home Care Support Worker.
Full details of the review and an advisory note can be found here: Outcome of the Review of the Employment Permits Occupations Lists December 2023 and MAR Review
Notice regarding Stamp 4 support letters
16 November 2023
Effective from 30 November 2023, applicants for a Stamp 4 immigration permission will no longer be required to obtain a letter of support from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Stamp 4 applications and checks will be handled entirely by the Department of Justice.
Applications for a Stamp 4 letter of support received by the DETE prior to 30 November 2023 will continue to be processed.
Full details available here: Notice regarding Stamp 4 support letters Issued by the Dept. of Enterprise Trade and Employment - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie)
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