·Republic of Ireland·Material change·Announced
Ireland announces employment-permit occupation list changes
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced occupation-list changes to support housing, health and transport needs, including additions to the Critical Skills Occupation List and removals from the Ineligible Occupations List.
What changed
Policy claim 1
DETE listed Agronomist, Construction Planner/Scheduler, Community Eye Care, Intellectual Property Professionals, Geospatial Surveyor, and Riggers within the games industry as additions to the Critical Skills Occupation List.
Claim ID: ie-2026-employment-permits-list-refresh#claim-1·Cite this claim
Source: DETE — Employment permits occupation list changes (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland))·source verified ·page reviewed
Policy claim 2
The same announcement removed several healthcare, construction, manufacturing and transport roles from the Ineligible Occupations List, making those roles eligible for General Employment Permit applications where the route criteria are met.
Claim ID: ie-2026-employment-permits-list-refresh#claim-2·Cite this claim
Source: DETE — Employment permits occupation list changes (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland))·source verified ·page reviewed
Policy claim 3
DETE reaffirmed that Critical Skills Occupation List roles are eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit, while other eligible roles generally remain subject to General Employment Permit and Labour Market Needs Test rules.
Claim ID: ie-2026-employment-permits-list-refresh#claim-3·Cite this claim
Source: DETE — Employment permits occupation list changes (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland))·source verified ·page reviewed
Routes affected
Primary source
Primary source
DETE — Employment permits occupation list changes ↗ · Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland)
Link last verified: