I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.
Ireland's employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term. This objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is genuine.
The role of dairy farm assistant has been provided with a quota of 1,100 General Employment Permits since eligibility was first introduced in 2018. This quota was exhausted in November 2025.
Where a sector wishes to have a quota extended, or a role fully removed from the ineligible occupations list (i.e. not subject to a quota), evidence should demonstrate a continuing need for access to employment permits for the role, supported by the department with lead responsibility for the sector.
My department has received a submission from the agri-food sector with regard to the role of dairy farm assistant to the current review which closed to receipt of submissions on Friday, 19th of September. Consideration of submissions and evidence supporting changes is in progress including where occupations that currently have assigned quotas are undergoing review. Final recommendations on foot of the review process are expected to be published at the beginning of 2026.
My Department is also engaging directly with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at present in relation to the immediately pressing issue regarding the dairy farm assistant quota. A recommendation with regard to changes will be finalised and submitted to my office for consideration and approval shortly.
Should a new quota threshold be introduced through amending secondary legislation, new applications may be submitted for consideration to be processed by date of receipt.
