John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the number of general employment permits approved in 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50839/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The employment permit system is designed to support businesses across the State in addressing skills and labour shortages that cannot be met through the Irish or EEA workforce. By facilitating access to talent from outside the EEA, the system enables companies to remain competitive, sustain operations, and continue delivering essential services.

General Employment Permits allow employers to recruit for a wide range of roles not listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List, ensuring the system remains responsive to evolving labour market needs.

In 2024, a total of 19,478 General Employment Permits were issued, of which 14,080 were new permits and 5,398 were renewals.

To date in 2025, the Department has issued 12,553 Employment Permits of which 7,752 are new permits and 4,771 are renewals. There have also been 30 transfers of employment permits in 2025.

Current processing dates for employment permits are published regularly on the department's website.