My Department issues work permits for the employment of non-European Economic Area – EEA – nationals in the State where an employer can demonstrate that he/she has been unable to recruit a suitable Irish or other EEA national for the job(s) concerned.
Employers are required to comply with all relevant labour law requirements in respect of the employee concerned, for example, compliance with minimum wage levels, maximum hours of work permitted etc.
In addition, all relevant immigration requirements, as delivered by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, must be satisfied in relation to the non national in respect of whom the permit is being sought. Permits are not, for example, issued in respect of an individual who: (i) is in the State illegally or no longer complies with the conditions under which he-she was admitted; (ii) has been asked by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to leave the State, or is in the process of being deported, or was in the State illegally and has been deported, or has left the State having been asked to do so by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; (iii) has entered the State specifically on the basis that he or she will not be taking up employment, for example, visitors, students or tourists; or (iv) is seeking employment with a non-EEA employer who is operating in the State without business permission from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.