Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Victor Boyhan for raising the issue. I come from a rural background and agriculture is a very important part of our economy. It has played a very important part in our economic recovery. The good thing about agriculture on this island is that all the regions benefit from it. It is not just focused on one area.

Ireland's overarching labour market policy is to promote the sourcing of skills and labour needs from within the workforce of Ireland and the European Economic Area. In recent years, the employment permits system has been oriented towards highly-skilled occupations which are required for the development of the productive economy. As the economy improves and we approach full employment, labour as well as skills needs are becoming apparent in some sectors with the consequent potential to constrict growth due to labour shortages.

It is clear that difficulties are emerging in the agri-sector in particular for low-skilled, lower-waged workers in the horticulture, dairy and meat processing areas. In recognising the changing economy and labour market and the challenges faced by enterprises in attracting sufficient labour, my officials are undertaking a review of the economic migration policies underpinning the current employment permits system. The purpose of the review is to ensure our current policies are fully supportive of Ireland’s emerging labour market needs, be they skills or labour shortages.

In undertaking any adjustment in the orientation of the system, the interest of the 230,000 people on the live register in Ireland and the 17.5 million unemployed in the EU 28 must be remembered, and a balance must be maintained that does not disadvantage these jobseekers. The review is overseen by an interdepartmental group, chaired by my Department, and includes a public and stakeholder consultation as well as an EU and international benchmarking exercise. A report is expected before the end of June.

I am aware of the particular challenges facing parts of the agrifood sector which employs over 173,000 people across the regions which, as I said earlier, is nearly 8.7% of the workforce of the country. It contributes almost 8% to gross national income with exports worth almost €13.5 billion. It is extremely important to us and it is important that we in government ensure that any constraints that are there are recognised and that demands are met. It is also a very important indigenous sector and its reach in rural Ireland brings jobs and value to every region. For this reason, I asked that, in advance of completing the full review, the emerging labour shortages in the sector be prioritised in its deliberations. The review group has been examining this issue and I expect to be a position to make an announcement regarding the agrifood sector very shortly. We have been in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive report. It is interesting. I was talking to someone in the Irish Farmers' Journal. I told him this was happening today. I will be very happy to go downstairs and put it in the fax I will send to him. It is really important. It is important we communicate that message to the industry. Things are cranking up, certainly in soft fruit production and this is a very important time for the horticulture industry. We see it in the poultry and meat sector. It is important to grow this opportunity. The availability of seasonal workers for seasonal periods is an issue. They are not necessarily required for 12 months in certain sectors. We have an area that it is important to grow and manage in a sustainable way. I thank the Minister of State for his support and for the report.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware, because I meet these processors and agricultural people on a lot of occasions, that in the horticultural sector, it is the height of the season for strawberries. There is a limited season for these things. It is important that we have the labour force to be able to supply strawberries.

The review covers all aspects of the current employment permit system with the principle objective of considering a policy rationale for employment permit systems when the economy is growing and the labour market is tightening, as evidenced in the agrifood sector. In the context of Brexit, the agrifood sector is extremely important given the fact that nearly 37% of our exports go to the UK. It is important we are competitive, that we have lean operations and that we have the necessary labour force in place to ensure we are at the top of the class in what has traditionally been a great source of trade for us particularly with our exports.

We produce enough of food for 35 million people when we have a population of 5 million so we have to export that food. It is important we produce it in the best possible way. I hope we will have more positive news on it for the Senator before the end of the month. It is important that when the review is completed we will let Members of the Oireachtas and the Senator know, given his particular interest in this area.