Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he has had with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding measures to support the food production industry in recruiting and maintaining required workforce levels as Covid-19 restrictions are eased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33077/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Policy responsibility for the food production industry is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  

Food Wise 2025 sets out a ten-year plan for the agri-food sector. It underlines the sector’s unique and special position within the Irish economy, and it illustrates the potential which exists for this sector to grow even further. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine chairs the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), with senior representation from all the relevant departments, including an official from this Department, and State agencies. The creation of 23,000 additional jobs all along the supply chain from producer level to high-end value-added product development are among the ambitious and challenging growth projections for the industry over the timeframe of the plan. 

In addition, officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are represented on the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by this Department which is part of the twice yearly review of the employment permit occupation lists to ensure that ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence.