Around one in every 11 work permits issued by the Department of Enterprise in 2024 were issued for workers in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors.

Some 3,625 of the 39,390 permits went to these sectors last year to facilitate employers hiring non-nationals of EU member states, the UK, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

This agriculture, forestry and fishing figure is over two and a half times the equivalent number of permits granted the previous year, which was 1,385, but was below 2022’s output of 4,311 permits.

Companies wishing to avail of the permit system must have advertised the role to Irish and EU workers before applications are considered.

Permits

Last year, 663 worker permits were issued to Dawn Meats Ireland UC, along with 37 to Dawn Farm Foods, while Anglo Beef Processors Ireland Unlimited Company was granted 228 permits and Anglo Beef Processors was granted 52.

Rosderra Irish Meats Group received 158 worker permits, Liffey Meats an additional 157, Irish Country Meats Unlimited was granted 60 permits and McCarren Meats Unlimited Company received 62.

Three issued to Aurivo Dairy Ingredients Ltd, two to Dairygold and one to Bandon Co-op.

Several dairy and pig farms are listed as having received permits, with most of these granted a single permit per applicant company.

A single permit was issued to the National Cattle Breeding Centre Limited, as was the case for Farm Relief Services Limited and the National Dairy Council.

Farm Solutions Ltd, which is listed as a farm labour provider, received 74 permits over 2024 and two permits were issued to Teagasc.