Marianne Norton
Associate | Legal
Ireland
Marianne Norton
Associate
Ireland
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Upcoming revision to Ireland's employment permits system
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The Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has announced that its new Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) will launch on Monday 28 April 2025. The launch promises a more modern cloud-based system, with the aim of increasing efficiencies and providing an improved user experience.
Changes to the current system
Registration
The new system will require all users (employer, employee and agent) to set up a portal account with an email address and password in order to access the system and to submit future employment permit applications. Log ins will need to be verified using an multi factor authentication (MFA) process via mobile phones for heightened security.
Employers will also be required to provide Revenue and Companies Registration Office (CRO) documents as part of the registration process. The initial email address used to register the account will be set as the "administrator" for the account with the option to assign multiple administrators once registered.
Portal account
Once registered, users will be able to access a record of current and historic applications. Status updates are also available which will allow users to see what stage of the process a current application has reached (draft, awaiting payment, processing, requested information, issued, refused, appealed).
Enhanced data protection
Any requests from the DETE will be sent to the email addresses registered to the application. The relevant parties can reply to this email which will be recorded to the application on the system.
Account management will be made up of core and non-core requirements. Core requirements include the submission of updated Revenue or CRO documentation which require additional validation by the Employment Permits Unit. Non-core requirements such as updates to employer business locations or contact details can be updated directly by the user.
Joint applications
The new system will have a feature by which all employment permit applications can be completed jointly online by the relevant parties (employer, employee and agent). The employee and employer will be required to provide the information relating directly to themselves. Agents (if applicable) will be permitted to provide the details for the party on whose behalf they are acting.
Notably, the application will now allow for electronic signing. Additionally, other permit requests (such as renewals, change of employer, appeals, withdrawals etc) will also take place through the portal account.
Support tools
Given the changes being made to the EPOS, a number of support tools will be available to users to help navigate the new system. This includes:
- "how to" videos on creating a portal account
- a new user guide detailing all aspects of registration and maintenance of portal accounts as well as the submission of applications
- an FAQ document
Trusted Partners
As mentioned above, in order to maintain a valid portal account, employers are required to submit relevant Revenue and CRO documentation as is required for applications for Trusted Partner status. Accordingly, the Trusted Partner Status will no longer operate under the Employment Permits Online System as all employers will operate from their portal accounts.
For employers who currently have Trusted Partner status, their accounts will automatically be validated on the new system when registering.
What happens next?
The launch of the revised online system is undoubtedly a welcome change by employers, employees and agents with the hopes that this will provide a more streamlined and expedited process.
The EPOS website will be unavailable to users from 6pm on Thursday 17 April for five business days to allow for necessary updates. Any draft applications which are not submitted by this date will not transfer to the new system. Once implemented, all users are advised to familiarise themselves with the new portal and its features to avoid any potential delays in submitting future applications.
How Ogier can help
Our Employment team in Ireland specialise in assisting employers, employees and agents with work permits and requirements for employment. Contact our team via their contact details below.
About Ogier
Ogier is a professional services firm with the knowledge and expertise to handle the most demanding and complex transactions and provide expert, efficient and cost-effective services to all our clients. We regularly win awards for the quality of our client service, our work and our people.
Disclaimer
This client briefing has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Ogier. The information and expressions of opinion which it contains are not intended to be a comprehensive study or to provide legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for specific advice concerning individual situations.
Regulatory information can be found under Legal Notice
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