Foreign workers previously limited to private sector now eligible for government healthcare positions
Healthcare assistants recruited from abroad are now eligible to work in Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) following a successful campaign to end what advocates called “untouchability” of foreign care workers in the public health system.
Since 2022, foreign workers have been officially permitted to enter Ireland as healthcare assistants, but only in the private sector. The HSE had previously excluded foreign carers from government healthcare positions, creating a salary gap of at least €5,000 annually between private sector and HSE employment.
Bineesh Joseph, who led the i2i campaign, announced that the Department of Health has granted permission for healthcare assistants to work in the HSE as part of a year-long effort by Overseas Health and Home Carers in Ireland (i2i IE). The organization has received official notification from the Department of Health confirming the policy change.
Some HSE regions have already issued career notifications for non-EU healthcare assistants to enter government service. However, only those currently residing in Ireland with an IRP card and Stamp 1, Stamp 1G, or Stamp 4, 5, or 6 status will be eligible for HSE positions.
In related news, i2i Ireland officials have defended the government’s new family reunification policy against criticism, saying some organizations are misrepresenting the changes. The new policy reduces the requirement to show two consecutive years of income before bringing family members to Ireland to just one year.
Under the revised rules, if one person arrives in Ireland and earns the minimum wage of €30,000 within 12 months, they can bring their spouse through family reunification. If a husband and wife together earn a gross income of €60,000 (net income of €45,032) in the following year, they can bring two children through family reunification.
i2i also highlighted success in securing Stamp 1G status for older children arriving through family reunification. Children arriving in Ireland after age 16 now have the opportunity to work full-time, addressing hardship previously experienced by students who completed schooling abroad before joining families in Ireland.
Ireland provides free education up to age 18 (higher secondary level), and students can continue their studies after higher secondary by paying government-set fees while working if they arrived through family reunification.
A new achievement allows those who have correctly renewed their permits after arriving on any approved residency visa (excluding international student study periods) to obtain Stamp 4 status after five years.
i2i Ireland office bearers Bineesh Joseph (Letterkenny), Libin Baby Thettayil (Newcastle West), Reggie C. Jacob (Dublin) and Preethi Krishnakumar (Clara) said the government has introduced very beneficial policies for healthcare assistants and General Employment Permit holders.
i2i Ireland launched a special campaign to assist General Employment Permit holders in preparing and submitting family visa applications in accordance with Family Reunification Regulations. The service is available for those submitting applications in December and January. General Employment Permit holders requiring family visa assistance can contact 0858077185 or 0858406085.