According to our study, 1,169 seasonal jobs were created across 42 companies. This excludes Keelings, where up to 800 people were employed in seasonal work in 2018, bringing the total number to just under 2,000 across 43 companies.

Given the varied seasonal nature of the agri-food industry, seasonal work has become a cornerstone for many companies and farms to function efficiently. The need for temporary staff on the ground on farms was highlighted by FRS creating 300 seasonal roles in 2018 across a number of areas. In the meat industry, Liffey Meats in Cavan had 30 temporary workers this year, with Carrolls Cuisine and Connolly Meats creating 20 seasonal roles each and Euro Farm Food taking in six temporary jobs.

Seasonal work in co-ops in companies such as Dairygold was also substantial.

On Hogan’s Farm in Meath, 50 staff are needed in the months prior to Christmas for the increased turkey production while on the farm machinery side of things, McHale Engineering in Mayo created 13 seasonal positions this year, with almost 15% of Pearson Milking Technology head count in 2018 noted as temporary.

Horticulture

In horticulture, Keelings demonstrated how vital seasonal workers are, with up to 800 roles filled. In landscaping, SAP Landscapes employed 78 temporary staff.

One company which has been making waves in terms of recruitment over the last 12 months is ifac. The accountancy company has added 58 to its headcount in 2018, bringing the total number of employees in the business to 230.

Of the newly created roles, three are senior positions, 19 are medium-level jobs and 36 are lower level posts. The accountants took in 18 graduates this year as well as two interns or student placements. Fourteen seasonal staff also worked there in 2018.

The most impressive statistic, however, is the number of people the company intends to employ next year.

Ifac confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that 60 extra positions will become available in 2019 in the company.