A total of 1,959 work permits were issued to the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in the first nine months of 2026.

Data published by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) shows that 212 permits were granted for the sector in September.

This follows 193 in August, 203 in July and 230 in June.

Quotas

Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan has asked for quota restrictions that apply to the issuing of employment permits for meat processing operatives to be reviewed and removed.

She told Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Alan Dillon that this request is in view of the ongoing labour shortages reported by the meat processing sector.

Deputy Callaghan has also asked the minister what measures he will take to ensure that processors can access an adequate workforce to maintain production levels and protect jobs throughout the agri-food supply chain.

Consultation

Minister Dillon said his department keeps the occupations for employment permits "under regular review to ensure it remains responsive to labour market needs".

"The review process involves a public consultation inviting stakeholder submissions, consideration of research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS," he said.

"The most recent review of the occupation lists commenced last summer with an open public consultation attracting a wide range of stakeholder submissions.

"The outcome was published on May 26, giving approval for 32 changes to eligibility for roles for employment permits."

Review process

As part of that review process, an additional quota of 1,000 permits for the meat processor role was provided, "recognising ongoing recruitment difficulties and workforce shortages within the sector", Minister Dillon said.

"Where a quota expires, an employment permit cannot be granted for that role," he said.

"The review process determines where adjustments are appropriate based on evidence, guided by the principles of sustainable adjustable economic migration.

"It is a delicate balancing act, with recommendations reached through the participation and contributions of the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy, which includes representatives of key government departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine."

The minister said his department remains open to receiving "detailed evidence" from stakeholders, supported by the Department of Agriculture, demonstrating "ongoing labour shortages, recruitment difficulties and the case for providing employment permit eligibility to roles within the agri-food sector".

"The department will continue to monitor labour market developments and review employment permit policy to ensure that it supports enterprise, responds effectively to genuine skills and labour shortages, and remains aligned with Ireland's wider economic, social and workforce needs," he added.