Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Every day, we hear about staff shortages across the hospitality, health, haulage, racing and retail sectors, all of which are alarmed by the unfolding situation. Meat factories across Tipperary and the wider country are finding it impossible to fill the jobs that would allow them to continue production. I have been contacted by the managements of ABP Food Group in Cahir and Nenagh and Rosderra Meats and Ashbourne Meat Processors in Roscrea. They are concerned about the shortage of workers. Their problem centres around work permits. Unless permits are fast-tracked to allow non-EU citizens to come to work in Ireland, our meat factories will stumble into crisis. Meat factories have been in this position for a number of months. Many former workers have left the country and new staff are not available due to permit delays. This is an unacceptable situation and is reducing productivity, restricting exports and damaging the competitiveness of the industry. We need swift and decisive action.

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