Record worker permits issued in 2024 as companies look to fill positions
Tech In Granted Professionals 6,500 The Than Were Working More Work Permits Sector For
A record 38,189 permits for foreign, non-European workers, to come to Ireland were issued this year, a 24% increase on 2023.
With the Irish economy experiencing full employment against a backdrop of increased economic activity firms have sought increased levels of work permits from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) across various sectors and industries.
New data shows the department received almost 45,000 applications this year and granted more than 38,000, made up of 32,480 new permits and 5,709 renewals.
The increase came despite a rise last January in the income thresholds for various positions. January also saw a major expansion of the programme with 43 new occupations added to the list including mechanics, electricians, meteorologists, butchers and bakers.
More than 12,000 were issued for workers in the healthcare sector mainly for roles in nursing and healthcare assistants. More than 6,500 work permits were granted for professionals working in the tech sector and in excess of 3,500 permits were granted for the Agri sector, mainly for workers in meat processing plants.
In terms of nationalities, the Department's figures show India topped the list with 13,147 permits issued followed by Brazil (4,458), Philippines (3,944), China (1,903) and Pakistan (1,690).
Over half of all new permits issued were Critical Skills Employment Permits for workers who are qualified in professions where there is a shortage of skills in Ireland such as doctors, nurses, engineers and ICT professionals. The Department said the average salary for these roles was €58,746.
"With 2.7m people in Ireland now at work, many industries are finding it difficult to recruit and retain staff in a tight labour market," Minister of State with responsibility for Employment, Emer Higgins said. "Hiring from outside of the European Economic Activity helps supplement our workforce in areas of critical skills."
Based on data up until November, meat processing firm Dawn Meats Ireland was the largest single company to be issued permits with 662 workers followed by healthcare facility firms Redwood Extended Care (457), Mowlam Healthcare Services (390), and Nua Healthcare (371). Within the technology sector, Google Ireland was issued 368 permits Amazon Development Centre was issued 341 permits and Amazon Web Services was issued 218.
The data shows that 2024 was the first year that Dublin accounted for less than half of the permits issued.