The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 17 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Employment

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Staffing Crisis in Horticulture Sector

Intended results To highlight that the increases in staff costs over the past few months in the Horticulture sector are enormous and have left the sector in an unsustainable position. To point out that it has been a relentlessly difficult period for the sector, from Brexit; the Covid pandemic; spiralling input costs from the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and now unexpected wage increases. This is effectively the fourth major hit for growers in recent years. Undoubtedly, there will be further casualties in a sector that has already shrunk massively over the past 10 years. To highlight that the minimum wage increased by 12% in the Budget and the announcement before Christmas on the General Employment permit will result in an initial 31% increase. The horticulture sector operates on extremely tight margins. Wage costs account for between 35%-42% of variable costs. To emphasise that the revised salary roadmap is unworkable. For a farm to advertise at €30,000 for new, possibly less-experienced employees would be effectively like setting a new minimum wage for the sector and will likely drive up pay demands for all other existing staff. To highlight that Ireland is an outlier as it is one of the only countries in Europe that does not have a permanent structured work permit scheme. The long-awaited seasonal work permit scheme has been pushed out to Q1 2025, leaving the current General Pilot Permit, which is not entirely fit for purpose, the only scheme available. The position of horticulture employers was clearly not considered when Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment made the shock announcement to massively increase salary levels for work permit employees. No meaningful consultation took place with the horticulture sector prior to the increases.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Mark Walsh IFA Horticulture Chair, Niamh Brennan IFA Policy Executive

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Meeting (2-5)

Informal communication (2-5)

Letter (1)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Johnny Mythen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Neale Richmond Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)