Fresh figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that International Protection Applicants (IPAs) in employment earned a median €544.09 per week in 2024—about 24 per cent below the national median of €711.56.(irishtimes.com) The dataset, published on 13 February 2026, is the first to break down earnings by sector and nationality for people holding labour-market permission under the European Union (Reception Conditions) Regulations.
Three industries—administrative and support services, accommodation and food, and wholesale/retail—absorbed almost two-thirds of working IPAs, reflecting Ireland’s dependence on migrant labour for entry-level and seasonal roles. Median weekly pay in those sectors ranged from €445 to €577, still competitive against origin-country wages but well below domestic averages.(irishtimes.com)
![New CSO data sheds light on earnings of International Protection Applicants in Ireland]()
Against this backdrop, VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can streamline visa and work-permit paperwork for both IPAs and the companies that hire them, providing real-time guidance on salary thresholds, eligibility rules and supporting documentation to help everyone stay compliant while saving time.
For employers, the numbers matter. The Government is weighing a proposal to levy accommodation charges of up to 40 per cent of IPA income; the new earnings baseline will influence where that ceiling is set. HR teams seeking to sponsor work permits should also note that General Employment Permit salary thresholds will jump to €36,605 on 1 March 2026, pricing many IPA roles out of the permit category and potentially tightening the local candidate pool.
Mobility managers should therefore revisit remuneration benchmarks and ensure that any IPA hires remain above both sectoral norms and forthcoming permit floors. Providing clear career-progression pathways may also help close the earnings gap and improve retention as competition for labour intensifies.
Three industries—administrative and support services, accommodation and food, and wholesale/retail—absorbed almost two-thirds of working IPAs, reflecting Ireland’s dependence on migrant labour for entry-level and seasonal roles. Median weekly pay in those sectors ranged from €445 to €577, still competitive against origin-country wages but well below domestic averages.(irishtimes.com)
Against this backdrop, VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can streamline visa and work-permit paperwork for both IPAs and the companies that hire them, providing real-time guidance on salary thresholds, eligibility rules and supporting documentation to help everyone stay compliant while saving time.
For employers, the numbers matter. The Government is weighing a proposal to levy accommodation charges of up to 40 per cent of IPA income; the new earnings baseline will influence where that ceiling is set. HR teams seeking to sponsor work permits should also note that General Employment Permit salary thresholds will jump to €36,605 on 1 March 2026, pricing many IPA roles out of the permit category and potentially tightening the local candidate pool.
Mobility managers should therefore revisit remuneration benchmarks and ensure that any IPA hires remain above both sectoral norms and forthcoming permit floors. Providing clear career-progression pathways may also help close the earnings gap and improve retention as competition for labour intensifies.
