Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Employment
Period
1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025
Specific Details
Pilot Scheme for the Seasonal Work Permit & General Employment Permit (GEP)
Intended results
To highlight that an announcement last week from the Department of Agriculture on the pilot scheme for the seasonal work permit scheme is deeply concerning. It has been proposed that the pilot scheme due to commence for the seasonal work permit scheme will only be available for large soft fruit growers.
That this categorisation was never mentioned in any IFA engagements with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the Minister for Agriculture or with any officials from both departments Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) or Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Depending on the construct of this pilot scheme and the total number of soft fruit growers in the country, this scheme may only cater for 4-5 growers, a completely unacceptable outcome.
That the field vegetable sector is repeatedly called out as the sector in ‘critical care' and labour availability is cited as the core reason for the constant exit of growers from this sector. The mushroom sector, the largest employer in the horticulture sector, has been significantly affected by the unprecedented increases in the new roadmap for renumeration in the General Employment Permit (GEP).
That all sectors of horticulture are at significant risk of further consolidation in 2025 unless the labour issue is addressed. This can only be achieved by ensuring all sectors are given access to the pilot seasonal work permit scheme.
That the design of a pilot scheme that only facilitates one sub-sector of horticulture, with no industry consultation, is an insult to other growers in the sector and will have damning consequences for the industry. IFA has lobbied for the implementation of this scheme for all sub-sectors of horticulture extensively over the past two years.
IFA has repeatedly criticised the lack of engagement with industry through all governmental bodies and called for a steering/advisory group, with all sub-sectors of horticulture represented, to be established for this very reason.
To highlight that the decision to pause the implementation of the General Employment Permit (GEP) scheme roadmap is a positive step. To stress that the consultation process opened last week must be robust and accurately take account of the current inflationary pressure within the sector. In addition, IFA is also calling for an advisory/steering group to be convened immediately on the GEP scheme due to previous unsatisfactory industry engagement.
To stress that the industry is responsible for providing employment directly to more than 7,000 people involved in primary production and a further 11,000 in downstream activities. The overarching aim of the National Horticulture Strategy 2023 – 2027 is to increase the farm gate value of the sector by 30% to €688 million in this period.
Addressing labour challenges is mentioned as one of the eight key strategic actions in this policy. The horticulture sectors operate on extremely tight margins with wage costs accounting for c. 40% of variable costs for most horticulture operators.
To seek to meet with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment at the earliest possible opportunity given the impact that any decision to restrict the availability of the seasonal work permit scheme to a smaller cohort of growers could have on the viability of the horticulture sector.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Mark Walsh IFA Horticulture Chair, Niall McCormack IFA Fruit & Vegetable Chair, Niamh Brennan IFA Senior 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.
Informal communication (2-5)
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.
Peter Burke
Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)
Laura Mannion
Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)