Chambers Ireland welcomes the employment permits system expansion

Chambers Ireland today (20 December 2023) welcomes the announcement by Minister Richmond that the employment permits system will be expanded.

In August of this year Chambers Ireland conducted an SME Skills Gap Survey to contribute to the government’s consultation on critical skills and employment permits. The survey found that almost nine out of ten respondents were facing significant challenges recruiting essential employees with sufficient skills and qualifications. 

Speaking after the announcement, Chambers Ireland’s Chief Executive, Ian Talbot, said:

“Today’s announcement is a very positive step forward for businesses across the country that are constrained by challenges recruiting appropriately qualified employees.

We welcome the recognition by government that skills gaps have had a detrimental impact on some businesses and their ability to grow and increase trade. The expansion that has been announced today, which includes the addition of 43 changes to the jobs eligible for an employment permit, acknowledges the need to support businesses in gaining easier access to global talent pools at a time when our domestic labour market is at full employment and recruitment is challenging.

We will continue to call for the simplification of the permitting and visa process and the creation of a single application process for both. The current system can create an onerous administrative burden and can be difficult to navigate, particularly for smaller businesses.”

ENDS

About Chambers Ireland:

Chambers Ireland is the voice of business throughout Ireland, with 40 member chambers across every major city, town and region of the island. Aligning our strategic priorities with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, our aim is to make places better to live, work and do business.

Chambers Ireland were selected by the Government as a National Champion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2023.

Link to Chambers Ireland press release and SME Skills Gap Survey results from 18 August 2023 – SMEs struggle to find talent with skills gaps across many operational areas.