The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms. Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, today officially launched a new Employment Permits Online System (EPOS).

This project provides a best in class international online platform for employers and employees alike to apply for employment permits. It provides a digital route for both employees and employers to share the application process in a time efficient manner.

The Employment Permit Online System when combined with the Trusted Partner initiative launched by my Department last year, means that the application to decision time can take as little as 5 -7 working days to complete. This timeframe is excellent by international comparison and contributes to Ireland’s reputation and to our aim to be the best small country in which to do business.

The EPOS has been shortlisted for the 2016 Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards representing the Department in the category of “Leading Civil Service Renewal”.

The EPOS is closely aligned with Departmental and Government priorities for the delivery of public services digitally

The new system has been developed by the Department in conjunction with opensky Data Systems Ltd.

Welcoming the new system Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D said: “This latest Department initiative is aimed at improving our customer service delivery and I am delighted that the new Employment Permits Online System is state of the art and provides a transformational online experience for our stakeholders. The EPOS provides an end to end online application system including the option for secure online payment. It offers applicants a shorter application process and improved turnaround times. I want to congratulate the staff in my Department who have worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth system is now in place and on their shortlisting for the 2016 Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards ”.

One of the key measures of success for the project was the level of take-up of the new online service. Within two weeks of making this available to our key stakeholders, we have achieved a 95% take-up rate. The decision to include our internal and external stakeholders in the design and system testing from the outset has been innovative.

In the last three years demand for Employment Permits has risen by one third year-on-year (6,696 in 2013 to c.14,000 in 2016). Catering for this increased demand was not feasible in a scenario where staffing resources were static or reducing and the economy has continued to grow. This new system has laid the foundation to cater for the increasing need for specific skills to enable the economy to continue its growth.

For more on work permits you can visit: https://epos.djei.ie