Pilot scheme for agri-worker permits

MINISTER of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture Andrew Doyle believes a new pilot scheme will help agri-businesses in Wicklow and beyond maintain a skilled workforce.

The scheme is targeted at the horticulture, meat processing and dairy farming sectors and will allow, on a pilot basis, a limited number of workers from outside the EU/EEA to be recruited into those sectors.

Minister Doyle said: ‘ This pilot, quo- ta-based scheme will address the immediate labour shortages in the horticulture meat processing and dairy industries in Wicklow and rural Ireland. This is a very positive move to ensure we have the manpower we need to meet our production needs. It will make it easier for certain businesses in the agri-food sector to source workers from outside the European Economic Area. Initially 800 permits will be issued nationally for this pilot scheme. As we approach full employment, it is essential that our businesses have the staff they need. The agri-food sector is a key source of employment and it has experienced significant export oriented growth in recent years,’ said Minister Doyle. This measure will go some way to towards filling the labour gap. Here in Wicklow, the value of agriculture exports is in excess of €225m and it is important that we continue to build on this success.’

The pilot scheme will include 500 permits for the horticulture sector, 250 for the meat industry and 50 for the dairy sector. The agri-food sector employs about 173,000 people in Ireland.