The continuation of the Seasonal Employment Permit scheme in Ireland is currently "under deliberation".

This was introduced last year as a short-term employment permit.

A pilot scheme was operated to test its long-term viability.

The permit allowed non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland for three to seven months in a 12-month period.

Permit scheme 'under deliberation'

A spokesperson for the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) told Agriland that it had issued 33 seasonal employment permits.

"It is understood that 10 of these individuals did not ultimately enter the state and take up employment," the spokesperson said.

"23 individual seasonal employment permit holders entered and progressed through the 2025 pilot."

The operation of the scheme in 2026 is "under deliberation".

The department said that the outcome of the pilot evaluation will be communicated during this quarter.

Horticultural operatives

The pilot scheme was limited to horticultural operatives in the soft fruit or vegetable growing sector.

If the scheme goes ahead this year, the expansion of it beyond horticultural operatives to include other roles is "also currently under deliberation and will be addressed in the outcome of the pilot evaluation".

The department spokesperson added: "The employment permit system operates on established Minimum Annual Remuneration Rates (MAR).

"The 2025 pilot was delivered at the standard horticultural operative rates.

"Any additional examination or renewed pilot scheme will require the rate to be tied to the standard rate under the MAR for the role in question."

Salary thresholds

In December 2025, the government unveiled a roadmap for gradual increases in employment permit salary thresholds.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke and Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon announced that the first increase will take effect March 1, 2026.

The roadmap outlines a gradual approach to increasing salary thresholds across all employment permit types, while removing very low thresholds on a phased basis for certain roles in the agri-food and healthcare sectors.

From March 1, the minimum salary for general employment permits will rise from €34,000 to €36,605.

The minimum salary for critical skills employment permits will increase from €38,000 to €40,904.

For meat processors, horticultural workers, healthcare assistants and home carers, the minimum salary will increase from €30,000 to €32,691.