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Healthcare Assistant and Home Carer / Care Worker – Increase to Minimum Annual Remuneration

The Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration Thresholds (MAR) set out a number of major adjustments to the remuneration thresholds for employment permits. The first round of increases commenced in January 2024 for most permit types and occupations.

Following engagement with the sector and the Department of Health, it was agreed that the increase to remuneration for HCAs/Carers be deferred until January 2025.

Regulations to increase the minimum remuneration for Health Care Assistants, Home Carers and Care Workers from €27,000 to €30,000 have now been prepared to take effect from 17 January 2025. 

Therefore, the key date in the operationalisation of this change which applies to applications for new and renewals is: 17 January 2025

Key details for the processing team

  • This increase has been communicated to the sector over the year.
  • All employment permit applications received prior to 17 January will be processed under the current remuneration thresholds. Previously issued employment permits which are ‘live’ will not be impacted.
  • GEP applications for these roles require a standard Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) be completed for 4 weeks – which results in the first applications for newly eligible GEP roles arriving after 17 January.
  • If a GEP application is submitted on or after 17 January the LMNT provided should advertise the role in question at the new higher minimum salary.
  • If the role is advertised at €27,000 but the salary is €30,000 the application will be deemed invalid.

Labour Market Needs Test

From 17 January 2025 these roles will require an updated accurate LMNT in respect of salaries at €30,000. Employers are advised to advertise vacancies for employment permit applications which are expected to be submitted after 17 January at or above the adjusted MAR.

Employers seeking to hire individuals as HCAs/Carers are advised to take note of the increased salary thresholds when advertising roles to test the domestic/EEA labour market under the LMNT.

The LMNT should advertise the role in question at the relevant minimum of €30,000 in order to reflect the new salary requirement coming into force. LMNT’s which do not reflect the appropriate salary will not satisfy the requirement and will result in the rejection of an application and delays to the system.

Call Powell Legal, the experts in Healthcare Sourcing, Permits, relocations.