Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
38. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions he has had with the companies that will require significant assistance from seasonal workers during summer 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10281/21]
View answerIn September 2020, my colleague, Damien English T.D., Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, met with the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland at which they identified a need for a temporary and targeted seasonal employment permit for their sector.
In December 2020, Minister English met with Keelings Ltd in which they outlined that their sector across Europe recruits seasonal workers from other EU/non-EEA states on an annual basis, with workers coming mostly from some eastern EU Member States, though some also come from adjoining non-EEA States, and that these workers are vital to ensuring the food supply chains are maintained.
The 2018 Review of Economic Migration Policy found that there is a clear role for time limited work permissions for seasonal contracts for typically 6-9 months. Ireland is an outlier in not having this form of permission. To meet this demand, the development of a seasonal employment permit is proposed in the new Employment Permit (Consolidation and Amendment) Bill, the drafting of which has commenced.
