07/13/2007

On July 11, 2007, the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) announced it will consider Work Permit applications under the Graduate Scheme that do not meet the standard minimum annual salary of €30,000 required for work permits. Applicants must demonstrate, however, that the lower salary is an industry norm for the particular graduate occupation. Launched on April 11, 2007, the Graduate Scheme allows foreign national students who have earned degrees from third level educational institutions in Ireland to remain in Ireland for six months following receipt of their final examination results. During this period, they may seek employment and, if they qualify, apply for a Work Permit or Green Card Permit.

Effective July 1, 2007, Ireland also raised the national minimum wage from €8.30 per hour to €8.65 per hour. This is the second increase to the minimum wage this year. The increase to the minimum wage applies to all employees, including EU nationals and non-EU national workers in Ireland. The specific wage requirements for the various types of work permits in Ireland remain the same. Applicants for Work Permits and Green Cards must earn at least €30,000 annually and intra-company transferees must earn at least €40,000 annually.

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