Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he plans to introduce the proposed short stay seasonal horticulture workers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10979/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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A Review of Economic Migration Policy undertaken in 2018 concluded that while the employment permits system provides a robust framework to supplement skills and labour needs in the State, the current legislation imposes considerable inflexibility in its operation. In order to increase the agility and responsiveness of the system, the Review recommended that new legislation be initiated.

The 2018 Review found that there is a clear role for time limited work permissions for seasonal contracts for typically 6-9 months, and that there is a demand for such a permit type for lower skilled workers. To meet that demand, the development of a seasonal employment permit is underway, to provide for a non-EEA national to work in the State temporarily while retaining a legal domicile in a third country, for the purposes of employment in a sector of seasonal activity.

The Employment Permits (Consolidation and Amendment) Bill sets out to consolidate the existing legislation to make a more accessible statutory basis for our economic migration system and to increase its agility and responsiveness. A key feature of the Bill is the proposed introduction of the Seasonal Employment Permit. 

The Bill is included on the Spring Legislative Programme.