Recruitment

English says 40,000 non-EU work permits are in offing to ease labour pressures

Minister beefs up processing team as businesses across Ireland struggle to attract and retain employees

Damien English, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said his department was working to cut the waiting times for firms seeking permits. The move comes as businesses across Ireland struggle to attract and retain employees Picture: Julien Behal/RollingNews.ie

More than 40,000 non-EU workers will be granted work permits this year in a bid to ease pressures in the labour market, the Department of Enterprise has said.

This would be a considerable increase on the 16,275 permits provided in 2021.

Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, told the Business Post that his department has been working to cut the waiting times for businesses seeking permits.

The department said it has ...