Some small steps have been made to address the labour shortage on dairy farms.

On Monday last, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) Heather Humphreys signed off on changes to employment permit regulations, which will make it easier for certain businesses in the agri-food sector to source workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

The changes, which will operate on a pilot basis initially, include 500 permits for horticulture workers, 250 for meat processor operatives and 50 for dairy farm assistants. According to a DBEI spokesperson, because dairy sector work is seasonal by nature, the possibility of a seasonal employment permit being created is being explored by the review group.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed welcomed the news and said a more comprehensive response to the labour shortage on farms will be contained in a report of the People in Dairy Stakeholder Group, which is expected in the coming weeks.

How to apply

Applications for general employment permits can be made online using the employment permits online system (EPOS) or by requesting a manual application form from the employment permits section in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

In order to apply for a general employment permit, an employer has to undertake a labour market needs test (ie advertise the job for two weeks in Ireland and the EEA).

If no one suitable applies for the job, the employer is free to apply for an employment permit in respect of an employee from outside the EEA. Employers source these employees through their own resources.

A general employment permit can be issued for an initial period of up to two years and can then be renewed for up to a further three years. After five years, the applicant may apply to the Irish naturalisation and immigration service (INIS) for long-term residency.

A new minimum remuneration threshold of €22,000 per annum for a general employment permit is being introduced for this cohort of migrant workers and includes a commitment by employers that the permit holder has access to suitable accommodation, and training, including language training.

Read more

Agriculture sector prioritised in work permit review

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/hope-that-work-permits-will-relieve-farm-labour-issue-354932