Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----to make work pay and to ensure the conditions and rights of labour, backed by the Government, are made more attractive to try to attract people to work. The Deputy mentioned the hospitality sector. On one hand, there are thousands of jobs available in that sector, and we have given permits and prioritised certain areas, such as chefs and so forth. On the other hand, if one analyses the live register and the people on the PUP, there are thousands with a background in hospitality. There is a mismatch there and we are trying to close that gap. Yes, it involves pay and conditions. Yes, it involves choices and people are re-evaluating their careers. Again, we try to support that. A large amount of money is set aside for education and the upskilling agenda. I ask employers in all these sectors to engage with the pathways to work scheme to attract labour.

With regard to the farmers, we made 100 permits available, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to bring in dairy farmers. My sense is that this will not be enough, but I have to work with the relevant Departments and agencies, notably, the Irish Farmers Association and so forth, in the sector to be able to gather the evidence. However, we react quite quickly and have done. The number is 100 at present. We can increase that in the next review if there is proven demand. We try to work with every sector to encourage them to source labour locally and to avail of the supports from the Government through the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Education and our Department to make that happen.

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