The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) issued 2,533 work permits for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector over the first eight months of 2024.
The latest data, published by the department, shows that a further 272 permits were granted during the month of August.
This followed the 402 permits issued in July, which was the second highest monthly figure this year after February when 591 permits were issued.
Work permits
Between January and August, the department confirmed it issued a total of 27,181 work permits across all economic sectors, with 3,358 (12%) of those granted last month.
Health and social work is the sector with the highest number of permits (9,125) followed by information and communication activities (4,628) and agriculture, forestry and fishing.
According to DETE, Dawn Meats Ireland had been issued 417 work permits in the first eight months of the year.
There were 172 permits granted in the period to Anglo Beef Processors Ireland Unlimited Company, 140 for Liffey Meats (Cavan) and 111 issued to Kildare Chilling.
In the horticulture sector, Tiernaneill Mushrooms has been issued with 65 permits by the end of August, Tullow Mushroom Growers was granted 59 and Tyholland Mushrooms received 55.
Meanwhile, a new law reforming the employment permit system, came into force last Monday (September 2).
According to the government, the Employment Permits Act 2024 is designed “to support targeted economic systems”, including agriculture and horticulture,
The legislation includes provision for a new seasonal employment permit, which is a short term permit for non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals to work for a maximum of seven months per calendar year in a seasonally recurrent employment.
The department of enterprise said this provision will support agriculture and horticulture in addressing labour shortages; and will be renewable across multiple years for the set calendar season.
Arrangements for providing accommodation and health insurance for workers will be part of the scheme.
The permit will be introduced under a limited pilot scheme at first later this year, with the intention that it commences in early 2025.
Employers wishing to apply for a new seasonal employment permit will be required to apply annually to become a registered pre-approved seasonal employer in order to access the scheme.
Applications will be considered based on “relevant criteria”, including the need for the employment to be “seasonally recurrent”, and the size of the employer.