Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will urgently review the work permit situation for the meat production industry; if he is aware of the chronic workforce shortage which currently exists within this industry and the recruitment restrictions which currently exist; and if he will commit to increasing the meat producer general operative permit quota. [44891/23]
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 addressing labour and skills shortages in the longer term. However, the Department also actively responds to concerns raised by various sectors about more immediate skills and labour supply shortages, highlighted through a number of amendments to the Employment Permits Regulations over recent years, whereby sectors most impacted by 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 actively engaging with other government departments including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider submissions received to the latest public consultation to review the lists. The role of meat processing operative is also under consideration.
Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term. It is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning whilst maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills and labour deficits.
