Ireland Work Permit Changes 2026: 32 Occupations Added, Removed or Updated
Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) confirmed 32 changes to occupations eligible for employment permits, effective from May 29, 2026. Although the update is now more than two months old, the revised arrangements remain in effect and continue to affect foreign workers and employers applying for Irish employment permits. Six occupations were added to the Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) list: Agronomist, Construction Planner/Scheduler, Community Eye Care Specialist, Intellectual Property Professional, Geospatial Surveyor (Land Surveyor/Geomatics Surveyor), and Rigger (Games Industry). Nine occupations were removed from the Ineligible Occupations List and can now qualify for General Employment Permits (GEPs) without quota restrictions. These include Pharmaceutical Technicians, Dental Hygienists, Plastic Lining Technicians, Steel Fixers, Fencing Operators/Erectors, Curtain Wallers, Printers, Industrial Machine Knitters, and Concrete Pump Operators....