Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the skills shortage in farming, has there been a geographic mapping of where the skills shortages are and in what type of areas? In social protection, the Intreo offices, as an employment agency, have done quite extensive research into the skills that people who attend those offices have. I always worry when people talk about the first option being bringing in foreign workers who need work permits. What level of engagement has there been with the Intreo services on this issue? I listen to my rural colleagues who constantly say there is a challenge in respect of part-time employment and that the number of people in receipt of farm assist payments has increased. Such people obviously already have skills because they are already part-time farmers. I am anxious for there to be some joined-up thinking between the IFA and the Intreo offices. Perhaps there already is. Is there a level of engagement with the Intreo services of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to see if the skill base and workers are there but are not being tapped into? That may already be happening.