Employment

Work permits surge 35% in January

Nurses, healthcare assistances and doctors were among the candidates most sought last month

Healthcare workers overtook those in the information and communication technology sector to become the highest demand sector in 2023 compared to 2022. Picture: Getty

January was a busy month for work permits with a 35 per cent rise in the number issued by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.

3,422 work permits were issued - up from the 2,527 issued in the same month of 2023 - with demand still strong according to the Department.

Meanwhile, there were 5,366 permit applications last month, double the 2,554 applications made in January 2023, according to reports from the Irish Independent.