Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

431. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the latest minimum income requirement from January 2024 for a horticulture work permit renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57377/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2023 Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists has delivered comprehensive changes to the employment permits system, with changes to 43 occupations eligible for an employment permit, along with a roadmap for increasing salary thresholds for employment permits up to January 2026. The first adjustments to the Minimum Annual Remuneration thresholds take effect from 17th January.

A summary Report of the changes is available on the Department’s website.

From 17 January 2023, the minimum salary for the majority of General Employment Permits will increase from €30,000 to €34,000. For home carers, meat processors and horticultural workers, the threshold will increase to €30,000. The revised thresholds will be applicable to new applications and renewal applications. Therefore, any new or renewal applications submitted to the Department before that date are subject to the 2023 threshold. Any applications submitted on or after 17 January will be subject to the new threshold.

With regard to the role of Horticulture Operative, the existing threshold, as of 1 January (in line with the National Minimum Wage), is €25,775. From 17 January, the threshold will increase to €30,000.

The minimum remuneration thresholds for an employment permit are set by the employment permits legislation as one of a range of minimum requirements in order to be eligible for the grant of a permit.