A total of 1,343 work permits were issued to the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in the first three months of 2026.

Data published by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) shows that 228 permits were granted for the sector in June.

This follows 343 permits granted in May, 328 in April, 135 in March, 136 in February and 173 in January.

The total number issued so far this year is up 26% when compared to the 1,064 permits issued in the same period in 2025.

Work permits

The majority of the permits issued in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector relate to meat processing, horticulture enterprises, particularly mushroom growers, and dairy farms.

Dawn Meats Ireland has been issued with 287 permits in the first six months of the year, while Rosderra Irish Meats Group has received 228.

Across all economic sectors, a total of 19,044 work permits have been issued so far this year.

The sector with the highest number of work permits issued so far this year was health and social work activities, with 5,153.

Pilot scheme

Meanwhile, the department recently confirmed that a phase two pilot of the Seasonal Employment Permit scheme is due to take place over the 2027 growing season.

The scheme was introduced last year as a short-term employment permit.

The permit allowed non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland for three to seven months in a 12-month period.

It was developed in response to ongoing challenges in sourcing seasonal labour within the horticulture sector and was piloted in 2025.