The midlands are among the lowest counties in issuing work permits to people outside of the European Economic Area.
The midlands counties are among the lowest in the country when it comes to issuing work permits to people outside the European Economic Area.
The Irish Independent is reporting a total of 30,981 permits were issued nationally in 2023, with just 932 in the midlands.
391 were granted in Westmeath last year, 328 in Offaly, and 213 in Laois.
Workers from India, the Philippines, Brazil, Pakistan, and China are the leading permit holders from outside Europe.
While on a sector by sector basis, healthcare leads the way with over 4,000 employment permits issued.
The number of permits issued in the country has soared in the last decade from 3,863 in 2013, to just under 31,000 in 2023.
The agriculture sector will need Government focus and support when it comes to employment, according to a midlands recruitment specialist.
The number of work permit applications from outside the European Economic Area has increased nearly ten-fold in ten years.
Laois' Colin Donnery says the health and technology sectors are set to be the dominant target areas for incoming workers.
However he says farmers are the ones who need the most help:
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