Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
87. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider extending the quota of meat processor operatives under general employment permits in view that the quota has been filled and there is a shortage of operatives in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44404/23]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term. In framing policy, consideration is given to other instruments that are also available in meeting skills shortages challenges, such as upskilling and activating the unemployed.
My Department works with other Government departments to promote an integrated approach to address labour and skills shortages in the longer term. The Department actively responds to concerns raised by various sectors about skills supply shortages, highlighted through a number of amendments to the Employment Permits Regulations over recent years, whereby sectors most impacted by skills shortages were provided with access to employment permits, including the agri-food sector.
In October 2021, following a comprehensive review of the employment permit occupation lists and in light of the continued labour shortages in the Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector, previous quotas were extended to release an additional 1500 general employment permits for meat processing operatives along with 500 for meat deboners.
The role of Meat Processor Operative was also provided with a further additional quota of 425 General Employment Permits in June last year. All quotas for meat processing operatives have now been filled.
This and other agriculture/agri-food quotas were opened with a proviso that a strategic review on labour attraction and retention in the sector be carried out in order to put in place more sustainable solutions for meeting the labour needs of the sector into the future. The review will influence the decision on the eligibility of the role for employment permits in the future.
The Economic Migration Policy Unit of my Department is tasked with responsibility for managing the review of the Occupational Lists and is actively engaging with other government departments to consider submissions received to the latest public consultation to review the lists which was open between June and August this year. A report containing recommendations for my consideration is expected in November.
