266 work permits were issued for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector during February, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has confirmed.

In total, the department has issued 456 permits to the sector so far in 2025, after 190 permits were granted during January.

The latest data, published by the department, shows that in February a total of 2,975 work permits were issued across all sectors, down from 3,771 in the previous month.

27% (1,819) of the permits granted so far in 2025 (6,726) were issued to the health and social work activities sector, followed by the information and communication activities sector (947) and accommodation and food services (928).

In the agriculture sector, the majority of permits have been issued to horticulture companies and meat processors.

Meanwhile, a public consultation on the next review of the list of occupations governing work permits for non-Irish nationals is expected to take place this year.

However, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Alan Dillon, said that the exact date has yet to be confirmed.

A 2023 review of the occupations lists resulted in new quotas being introduced for occupations such as pig managers and pig farm assistants, making them eligible for the general employment permit (GEP).

In addition, a number of occupations already eligible for GEPs had their quotas extended, such as dairy farm assistants and horticultural workers.

Last year, 3,625 permits were granted by DETE for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

1,385 permits were issued for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in 2023, down from 4,311 in the previous year.