Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and other Ministries discussed or planned to reform the area of work visas and employment permits in an effort to streamline and simplify what has become a cumbersome process for many employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17836/26]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Officials in my Department, in collaboration with officials in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration have been working to deliver a more efficient and streamlined employment permit and visa system. The intention being to increase the competitiveness of Ireland in attracting the skills and talent the economy needs - especially in sectors like healthcare and construction.

A key element of this is the implementation of a single application procedure for both employment permits and immigration permissions, in line with the Single Permit Directive. It is expected that this will reduce the complexity of the current system, ensuring that the process responds effectively and quickly to meet the skills and labour needs of businesses.

A programme implementation team, co-chaired by my department and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM) has been established. The initial focus of this group has been the streamlining of existing processes and coordinated external communication, scoping the feasibility of technological, legislative, and data sharing solutions, agreeing and laying the groundwork for subsequent implementation. The expected delivery date for this complex project is 2027.

The modernisation and integration of the IT systems in both departments is integral to delivering this project. I am pleased to report that in April 2025, my department launched the new ‘Employment Permits Online’ system. This portal-based system has made the application process easier, more secure, and more intuitive, resulting in a more streamlined processing experience for applicants. It sits on a Microsoft Power Platform which is based on similar technologies that the DJHAM’s IT systems are expected to move to and will support the infrastructure required for a single application process across the two departments.

The next phase of the development of the employment permits system is now underway and will include exploring the potential use of disruptive technologies, like artificial intelligence, building on this more modern and stable foundation. It will identify opportunities for service improvement that will result in further efficiency gains and an overall sleeker customer experience.

Visa and residency processing timelines fall under the responsibility of the DJHAM, and that Department has been specifically assigned an action under the Accelerating Infrastructure implementation plan to streamline visa processes, address sequential permit–visa delays, and enable concurrent applications for key skills.

In advance of fully implementing a single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permissions, officials in both departments are actively examining options to expedite visa processing for critical skills employment permit holders in high-demand sectors.

While close cooperation between Departments is welcome, it is important to note that Ireland’s permit processing system consistently demonstrates strong efficiency and plays a key role in supporting timely and effective outcomes for employers and migrant workers.

In recent years, my department has focused intensively on reducing processing times across all permit types. As of 2nd March, Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEPs) are being processed in approximately 9 working days, and General Employment Permits (GEPs) in approximately 27 working days. These improvements reflect sustained operational enhancements and a strong commitment to supporting employers in accessing the talent required.

These developments together mark a necessary and significant step towards a more integrated and efficient employment permit and visa system and will strengthen Ireland’s reputation as an attractive place to work and do business.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average time to process work permits under the Employment Permits Online (EPO) system since its inception; if he could provide the average timelines for the processing of works permits for each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17837/26]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Section of my Department continues to prioritise the efficient processing of employment permit applications in order to support the needs of enterprise while ensuring full compliance with the Employment Permits Acts.

The new Employment Permits Online (EPO) system went live in 2025 as part of a major digital transformation programme. As is expected with any system transition of this scale, there is a bedding-in period following go-live. To anticipate this, additional resources were assigned in advance of the transition to bring processing times down as far as possible prior to go-live and to minimise the risk of any delays during the transition period.

While the Department observed a short-term increase in processing times during the period after go-live, this was moderate and expected for a system transition of this scale, and processing times have since returned to normal levels.

It is important to note that the Employment Permits system is demand-led. Processing times vary over the course of each year and are affected by application volumes. Demand is heavily influenced by external and policy-driven factors. Processing times are updated regularly on the Department's website at: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/current-application-processing-dates/.

The table below sets out the average processing time for new employment permit applications (business days) for the years 2022–2026, including the period following the introduction of the new EPO system.