Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's concerns. My Department is now involved in a working group with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and we will be proactive in trying to find a resolution to the issue. It is one of the downsides of an economy that is nearing full employment and I am acutely conscious of how it impacts on the agrifood sector, both inside and outside the farm gate. We will remain focused on it. We have had an initial response in the area of work permits but more needs to be done, both in terms of permitted workers and in the context of labour opportunities in Ireland's existing workforce.

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