Hiring overseas workers can help Irish businesses fill roles that are difficult to recruit for locally. However, for certain employment permit applications, employers must first test the Irish and EEA labour market.
This is where the Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) comes in.
What Is the Labour Market Needs Test?
The Labour Market Needs Test is a requirement for certain employment permit applications. It requires employers to advertise a vacancy to give Irish and EEA candidates an opportunity to apply before recruiting a non-EEA worker.
This means that overseas recruitment should generally be considered after the employer has tested the relevant local and EEA labour market where an LMNT is required.
The LMNT generally applies to General Employment Permit (GEP) applications, although exemptions may apply.
When is an LMNT Required?
An LMNT is generally required for General Employment Permit (GEP) application. However, it may not be required in certain circumstances, including:
- The role is on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
- The eligible employment has annual remuneration of €68,911 or more, provided the occupation is not on the Ineligible List.
- A qualifying recommendation has been made by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland.
- The role is for a carer of a person with exceptional medical needs, where the non-EEA national has already been providing care to that person before the application.
- The non-EEA national previously held a General Employment Permit, was made redundant within the previous six months, and the applicable conditions are met.
The applicable exemption depends on the role and circumstances of the application. Employers should therefore confirm the applicable requirements before starting the recruitment process.
What Does an Employer Need to Do?
Where an LMNT is required, the vacancy must generally be advertised through:
1. JobsIreland/EURES
The vacancy must be advertised through the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 28 continuous days.
Employers can use the JobsIreland service to arrange the required advertisement.
2. An additional online platform
The same vacancy must also be advertised on another online recruitment platform for at least 28 continuous days.
Employers may also authorise a licensed recruitment agency to manage the required advertisements on their behalf, subject to the applicable requirements.
The advertisements should include:
- Job description
- Employer name
- Minimum annual remuneration
- Location
- Working hours
Once published, the advertisements should not be amended during the required 28-day period, so employers should ensure the details are correct before posting.
What Happens After the 28 Days?
Once the 28-day advertising requirement has been completed, the employer can proceed with the employment permit application, provided the other requirements are met.
The application must generally be submitted within 90 days from the date the LMNT advertisement was first published. A 120-day timeframe may apply to qualifying third-level institutions.
If a suitable Irish or EEA candidate is identified, the employer may need to consider whether the overseas recruitment should proceed.
How Does the LMNT Affect Your Recruitment Timeline?
The LMNT can add at least 28 days to the recruitment process where it is required. This makes it important to establish the correct employment permit route before starting recruitment.
For employers considering overseas recruitment, understanding the LMNT can help you plan the recruitment and employment permit process more effectively.
How TPRC Can Help
At TPRC, we can help you assess your vacancy and identify the appropriate employment permit pathway before you begin recruiting overseas.
We can also support you with candidate sourcing, screening, interviews and recruitment of skilled Filipino workers for Ireland.
Planning to Hire Overseas?
Contact TPRC to discuss your workforce requirements and how we can support your recruitment process in Ireland.
Note: Employment permit and Labour Market Needs Test requirements are subject to change. Employers should check the latest requirements from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment before proceeding with an application.