The number of work permits issued by Ireland between January and June 2024 surged by 20.5 per cent, according to the latest statistics from the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
More specifically, Irish authorities issued 19,303 work permits during the first half of 2024, compared to 15,340 granted during the same period in 2023, Schengen.News reports.
Healthcare and social work emerged as the sector with the highest number of permits issued, accounting for more than 35 per cent of the total.
Other industries with a notable number of work permits were information and technology, agriculture, forestry and fishing, and accommodation and food services.
Meanwhile, the top five Irish counties that received foreign workers during this period were Dublin (9,241), Cork (1,555), Kildare (1,296), Limerick (929), and Meath (803).
Indians Received Highest Number of Work Permits Among Foreign Nationalities
Foreigners from India emerged as the top nationality receiving Irish work permits during the first six months of 2024. As recent statistics indicate, Indians acquired 6,746 work permits, accounting for 35 per cent of the total.
The top ten list of nationalities with the highest number of work permits issued also include Brazil, Philippines, Pakistan, South Africa, China, the United States, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Malaysia.
Indians also represented the largest group of work permit beneficiaries in 2023, when the Irish authorities issued 30,981 work permits.
Meanwhile, industries with the highest share of work permits during 2023 were similar to those in the first half of 2024.
Ireland Introduces Quota of 150 for Sea Fishers Roles Amid Shortages in This Sector
The Irish Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Emer Higgins, has recently introduced a new quota of 150 for the role of sea fisher in order to ease the shortages in this sector.
The position of sea fisher in the Irish fishing fleet now qualifies for a General Employment Permit, requiring a minimum salary of €34,000.
In addition to the sea fisher roles, Ireland reported labour shortages in 20 other occupations, as revealed by the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses.
Among the most affected sectors were healthcare, information technology, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and transportation.
