Health and social care firms to be allowed recruit more than half of staff from outside EU

Ireland is set to ease restrictions on foreign recruitment for its health and social care sector, allowing firms to hire more than half of their staff from outside the European Union. This significant policy adjustment aims to address critical staffing shortages within these vital services.

The move comes as the sector grapples with a persistent lack of qualified personnel, impacting the delivery of care. By opening the doors wider to international talent, the government hopes to alleviate pressure on existing staff and improve service provision.

However, the Coalition government is now facing increased pressure to broaden the scope of this relaxed recruitment policy. Calls are mounting to extend similar provisions to other sectors experiencing acute labor shortages, notably for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers, highlighting a wider economic challenge.