Minister of State with responsibility for Horticulture, Pippa Hackett said that she has engaged with government members on issues that growers are currently facing.
The minister co-chaired a meeting of the Horticulture Industry Forum this week, alongside new co-chair of the Commercial Mushrooms Producers (CMP).
Members of the forum were provided with an update on the progress of each of the key strategic actions in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 – 2027.
Representatives from the vegetable, mushroom, soft fruit, potatoes, organics and protected crops sectors gave an overview of their key challenges and issues.
One of the main issues raised was the challenge with access to labour across the horticulture sector.
Minister Hackett
Minister Hackett said that from government engagement, she expects growers to see movement “very shortly” on the process to become an approved seasonal employer.
This would be included under the pilot Seasonal Employment Permit for the horticulture sector, along with the establishment of an advisory group in respect of that pilot.
The minister also assured growers that public consultation on the roadmap of remuneration increases for employment permits will go live “in the coming weeks”.
Minister Hackett welcomed industry consultants Dr. Owen Doyle and Brian Arnold who are leading key strategic action 4 to review horticulture course availability and suitability for a modern dynamic industry.
This aims to enable the educational platforms to attract talent that will drive the horticulture industry to realise potential. Their report, which is due to be published at the end of March next year, will analyse options for the skills gap that employers are facing.
Minister Hackett said she was “delighted” to welcome the consultants and encouraged industry engagement on this “important action”.
The Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) was formed as a stakeholder group to facilitate a cooperative approach to the challenges that face the industry and to foster conditions that will grow and develop the industry on a long-term basis.