Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 19 October 2023, to provide an update in respect of the legal drafting of provisions for a seasonal employment permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55888/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The drafting of amendments to the Employment Permits Bill is ongoing and at an advanced stage with work to finalise provisions covering key aspects such as the Seasonal Employment Permit, and the Transfer of Employer being a priority for my Department.

A key feature of the Employment Permits Bill is the proposed introduction of the Seasonal Employment Permit. Currently, the planned timeline is for the Seasonal Employment Permit to be introduced on a pilot basis in the summer of 2025 with a limited number of pre-registered Approved Seasonal Employers, to provide a defined number of SEPs in the horticulture sector. Officials from my Department will establish an advisory group to oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the pilot. This group will consist of Government Departments, agencies, social partners, advocacy groups and other relevant stakeholders. Invitations for this group will be issued in January.

It is my preference for the Employment Permits Bill to be brought into the Dáil as soon as possible and this will be achieved once the amendments are completed.

Depending on Oireachtas scheduling and whether any further amendments are proposed, it is expected that the legislative process will be completed, and the Bill passed early next year.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 19 October 2023, the progress made to date in respect of the Employment Permits Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55889/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The drafting of amendments to the Employment Permits Bill is ongoing and at an advanced stage with work to finalise provisions covering key aspects such as the Seasonal Employment Permit, and the Transfer of Employer being a priority for my Department.

It is my preference for the Employment Permits Bill to be brought into the Dáil as soon as possible and this will be achieved once the amendments are completed.

Report stage for the Employment Permits Bill 2022 is being scheduled and it is anticipated that the legislative process will be completed with enactment expected early next year, depending on Oireachtas scheduling and whether any further amendments are proposed.