Changes to the employment permits system for workers from outside the European Economic Area are now in place, to address skills shortages in our Dairy, Transport and Home Care sectors.
It comes after farmers had been struggling to source workers in the local economy.
The home care sector has also been under-staffed, and one thousand new employment permits are set to be issued to workers from outside the EEA.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan welcomed the changes, as there have been significant difficulties in recruiting bus and coach drivers in recent months,
