Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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449. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 22 May 2025, if he will consider the advertising platforms required to meet the labour market test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29314/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) is one of the criteria used in the employment permits legislation to ensure that job vacancies are first offered to nationals of Ireland, the EEA, the UK or the Swiss Confederation. It underpins the Government’s employment objectives by ensuring employment opportunities are accessible to those already in the local and EEA labour markets by requiring that the vacancy is advertised for at least 28 days. If no suitably qualified candidate can be found within Ireland/the EEA, the employer can then apply for an employment permit.

The Employment Permits Act 2024 amended the LMNT process making it easier for employers to place vacancy advertisements. The Act eliminates the need for hard copy newspaper advertisements and allows online employment website postings to be submitted as part of the employment permit application criteria.

Under the Employment Permits Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 444 of 2024), in order to complete the LMNT for an employment permit, a vacancy must be advertised on JobsIreland, EURES and one or more other online platforms whose principal purpose is to publish offers of employment. This is a legal requirement for hiring non-EEA nationals under an employment permit and is designed to ensure that the role is advertised first within Ireland and the EEA. It cannot be waived for individual cases.

I am pleased to note that the employer in this case has agreed to re-advertise the position for the prescribed 28 days.