Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. The purpose of the Bill is to consolidate and update the legislative provisions that regulate the employment permit scheme. The 2018 review of economic migration policy, of which the Minister of State is aware, endorsed the robust fundamental structure of the existing system. However, it went on to recommend that legislation should be initiated. I take it that forms part of the motivation for the Minister of State's work on the Bill. As he stated, we need to be responsive to employment needs, modernise and ensure the employment permits system can adapt to the changing needs of the labour market now and in future. I welcome that the changes proposed in the Bill will give effect to the recommendations of the review.

It is important that any new proposals for the work permit scheme focus on supporting the economy and the labour market through evidence-based facts and data on labour shortages and real market demands for services and goods. Indeed, the Minister of State made that point very well in his opening remarks in the context of additional work permits. I acknowledge that important point. I also acknowledge that the Bill seeks to consolidate the current legislative framework, improve clarity and retain a strong focus on an employment permits system that is fair, transparent and orientated to meeting the skill and labour needs of the State.

As I am a member of the agricultural panel of Seanad Éireann and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I will focus on agriculture and the food sector. I advocate for additional general employment permits to meet the demands, challenges and ambitions of the wider agricultural, horticultural and forestry sector and ensure its sustainable growth, viability and expansion. I know the Minister of State will encourage that. Significant changes have already been made to the employment permits system, with more roles in the agricultural industry now eligible for general employment permits. Again, that is to be welcomed, but more can be done. In 2022, 40,000 work permits were issued. In 2023, the demand remained high and more than 31,000 permits were issued to workers outside the EEA.

I refer to the critical skills occupation list. Additional roles have been added to the list, including professional foresters, pig programme managers, pig farm assistants, meat processing operatives, deboners, dairy farm assistants and certain horticultural fruit and vegetable seasonal workers. All of these roles are vital for the success of the food production industry. Indeed there was reference on RTÉ News today or yesterday to issues relating to a shortfall of workers for lambing and calf production. Ireland has virtually full employment. We need to draw on other additional labour sources. Additional horticultural workers are needed to support the sector pending the full introduction of the seasonal employment permits. The Minister of State touched on this in his opening statement. It is an issue on which we need to focus. Migrant workers bring much-needed skills and experience to our workforce and the cultural diversity greatly benefits our society and economy. That is a key message that needs to be sent from here and a wraparound message in the context of the important Bill before the house. The work permit system must be fair and balanced, with a rights-based approach for workers. The labour needs of business and enterprise should be to the fore. As the Minister of State noted, however, it must also be equitable and fair. This is not about cheap labour; it is about augmenting shortages in essential labour skills for the economy.

The plans of the Minister of State for the reform of the employment permit system are significant. The Bill is a significant development which will encourage a vibrant and inclusive job market. I welcome his proactive approach to addressing the skills shortage and the structured and transparent approach he is taking to economic migration. I am genuinely encouraged by his efforts and I am supportive of the Bill.