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January work-permit pay rises are delayed

The Government has said that proposed increases in minimum pay levels for employment permits will not go ahead in January.

The announcement applies to the MAR (minimum annual remuneration), which is the lowest annual salary for which a work permit can be issued.

This was increased in January last year after a review, in conjunction with a roadmap that outlined further increases up to 2026.

‘Stability’

The planned increases had been aimed at addressing a gap that had developed between the MAR and average earnings in the State.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said, however, that it was conscious of the increased costs that businesses had faced since then.

“In recognition of this, and to ensure that all future increases are implemented in a manner that provides stability for employers and permit holders, the department is undertaking a review of the roadmap of future increases,” it stated.

Care sector

The department added that it was deferring the January 2025 increases to allow time to implement the findings of this review, and to give employers enough time to incorporate any outcome into their planning.

The announcement does not apply to a previously deferred increase to €30,000 for health-care assistants, home carers, and care workers.

The department said that this would go ahead next month, as it had been communicated to the sector over the year and was outside the scope of the review.

The department is asking for feedback from employers through a survey as part of its review.

Submissions can be made until 10 January.