Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Ballon Meats is a family-run independent meat processing factory that has been operating since 1977. It provides a vital service to local farmers across my locality - Ballon, Fenagh, Kildavin, Rathoe, Myshall and Tullow - as well as employing local people. It faces a challenge at the moment and needs our help. It needs more skilled workers. Despite having advertised locally and across the EU, it has not managed to receive a single application. It identified a number of skilled workers outside the EU, but it was unsuccessful in getting the required permits as the quota had been fulfilled before its applications were considered. I strongly acknowledge the work of the Minister, Peter Burke, in undertaking a review of the critical skills occupational list and the eligible occupational list. I welcome this initiative. Ballon Meats made a submission to the review but to use its own words, Ballon Meats is now in dire straits. It has already closed its pig processing line as it could not staff it and if it cannot get work permits soon, its sheep processing line will be next to close. I appeal to the Tánaiste to work with the Minister to ensure that small independent family-owned and family-run meat processing plants like Ballon Meats are supported by increasing the quota of work permits for skilled workers in the meat processing industry.

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