A phase two pilot of the Seasonal Employment Permit scheme is due to take place over the 2027 growing season, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has confirmed.

The continuation of the Seasonal Employment Permit scheme in Ireland had been under deliberation following the initial pilot.

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.

Seasonal labour

It was developed in response to ongoing challenges in sourcing seasonal labour within the horticulture sector and was piloted in 2025 to "test whether a regulated, rights-based migration route can meet the labour needs effectively".

The phase two pilot will cover the same sector as the initial pilot, the horticulture sector.

A spokesperson for the DETE said the number of permits to be provided for in the pilot has not yet been agreed.

"The phase two pilot will introduce updates to address lessons learned during the first pilot," the spokesperson said.

"These draft changes have not yet been finalised, but will be communicated in due course."

Pilot scheme evaluation

The DETE this month published a report examining the 2025 scheme.

Of 33 seasonal employment permits granted, only 23 workers ultimately arrived in the state, according to the DETE.

"The majority of failed arrivals stemmed from visa refusals, linked to inadequate employer oversight / due diligence of the recruitment agents they selected and poor agency practices in source countries," the department's report said.

"Despite engagement and communication on the topic, employers often viewed employment permit approval as equivalently guaranteeing visa approval, resulting in unrealistic planning, and delayed recruitment.

"The forthcoming Single Application Procedure is expected to reduce these issues; however, improved employer guidance, clearer accountability, and potential pre-departure (at sending country) controls are also recommended."

The department noted that compliance monitoring during the pilot "uncovered operational risks and failures".

"While employment-related obligations such as remuneration, working conditions, and role alignment were reported as compliant on the day of the Workplace Relations Commission inspections, accommodation oversight emerged as a significant risk area."

'Limited participation'

The report outlines that "due to the limited participation, the recruitment failures, and the significant compliance breaches, the Seasonal Employment Permit scheme has not been adequately tested".

"The department therefore recommends a second pilot phase, with stricter controls, and early roll-out times.

"This phase should begin in Q3 2026 for deployment in the 2027 season."

The DETE noted in its report that Ireland "remains an outlier within the EU in not having a dedicated seasonal migration pathway, despite evidence of acute labour demands during peak harvest periods".