Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for bringing up this issue and her ongoing work on this with the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke. I thank the Minister for his work on this as well. The programme for Government is very clear on this. It says that the Government will "Ensure sufficient employment permits to support the agri food sector including the equine, dairy, horticulture, fish and food processing industries". We have given a commitment to do more to assist this industry by making sure there are sufficient employment permits. It is clear from what the Deputy is telling me that there are not enough permits at present. As she will be aware, the Department ran a scheme on a pilot basis to see how that would go for the sector. All of the extra applicants were taken up very quickly, which shows the demand in this area. As the Deputy has rightly said, the Minister is concluding a review of the employment permits scheme. In looking at a long-term position on this matter, he has had significant engagement with the sector. It is expected that a report will be concluded in the coming weeks. He will then consider the next steps. I will certainly work with and support him on that.

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