Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new work permits and the number of existing permits that have been approved and that have been renewed for the meat industry in 2014 and 2015 to date; why the industry continues to require work-permitted labour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42841/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Thirty-one permits were granted during 2014 (of which 14 were renewals) and eleven permits have been granted to date in 2015 (of which 2 were renewals).

In general, the Government’s policy is that industry skills needs are met without recourse to the employment permit regime. Migration through the permits system is intended to complement the primary policy objective of Government, the up-skilling of the resident population at all levels.

Prior to September 2015, there were very limited options for meat boners to access the employment permits system. This is because the occupation was on the Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL), which is set out in Regulations. This List is reviewed and updated bi-annually, a process that involves a formalised and evidence-based approach. My Department obtains and considers advice from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SMLRU) in SOLAS, as well as consultation with key stakeholders including Government Departments, agencies and industry representatives. In their Annual Skills Bulletin 2015, the EGFSN states that attracting and retaining skilled butchers/de-boners remains a challenge for the meat industry in Ireland.

My Department, together with the Department of Social Protection, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Education and Skills, conducted extensive discussions over many months with the industry. During these discussions the meat industry made commitments to create additional employment and engage in training and upskilling of their existing employees, if they were given access to the permit system. On foot of these commitments, I signed Regulations on 1 September, providing for a limited number of employment permits for meat boners at a remuneration level of €27,500 or more per annum.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will report to me on the industry’s progress in meeting their employment creation and training commitments and no further permits will be granted to the sector unless the Government is satisfied that these commitments are being met.