Written answer
Work Permits
A critical skills permit is employer-specific; following cancellation, a new permit is required to work for another employer, and both employer and employee must ensure compliance.
440. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether a person (details supplied) who transferred from employment under a critical skills employment permit to a position with an organisation in 2025 required a new employment permit; and the options available to regularise their position if a permit was required but not obtained. [73723/26]
Comment on this
The Employment Permits System is governed by the provisions of the Employment Permits Act 2024. Under that legislation, both employers and permit holders are required to comply with the conditions attaching to an employment permit and with the relevant statutory requirements governing employment pursuant to an employment permit.
The individual concerned was granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit in October 2024 in respect of a specific employer and occupation. Employment permits are employer-specific and cannot be transferred from one employer to another. Where a permit holder wishes to change employer, a change of employer application must be submitted through the Departments employment permits online system.
The employment permit concerned was cancelled earlier this month. The cancellation of a permit does not preclude the submission of a subsequent permit application.
If the individual wishes to work for a new employer, a new employment permit application must now be submitted. Any application received will be assessed in accordance with the Employment Permits Act 2024 and the relevant eligibility criteria.
It should be noted that a person may not undertake employment unless they hold a valid employment permit in respect of that specific employment, or another immigration permission that permits them to work without an employment permit. Responsibility for compliance with these requirements rests with both the employer and the employee.
Information on employment permit requirements and the relevant application processes is available on the Department's website. The Department also provides assistance through its general queries mailbox, and a dedicated mailbox is available to Members of the Oireachtas making representations on behalf of constituents.