Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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238. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update and timeline for the seasonal work permit scheme, given its introduction is crucial to the horticulture sector as Ireland moves to the €12.70 minimum wage. [46669/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Bill sets out to consolidate the existing employment permits legislation to create a more accessible statutory basis and greater flexibility for our economic migration system. A key feature of the Bill is the proposed introduction of the Seasonal Employment Permit.

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, and that there is a strong demand for such a permit type. In May 2023 Government gave approval for the Department to proceed with legal drafting of provisions for a Seasonal Employment Permit.

To meet that demand, the Seasonal Employment Permit has been devised to cater for seasonally recurring short-term roles allowing non-EEA nationals to work in the State temporarily while retaining legal domicile in a third country. It is currently planned that the Seasonal Employment Permit will initially be introduced on a pilot basis in summer 2025 with a limited number of pre-registered Approved Seasonal Employers, and a limited number of SEPs in the horticulture (Fruit and Veg) sector.

It is intended that Dáil Report stage for the Employment Permits Bill 2022 will be scheduled during the autumn, subject to the completion of the draft text of the remaining amendments. Depending on Oireachtas scheduling and whether any further amendments are proposed, it is expected that the legislative process will be completed, and the Bill passed before the end of the year.