Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
401. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if an application for a work permit be re-examined due to the urgent situation of the employer needing to employ this person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73661/25]
View answerThe Employment Permits system operates within the parameters set out in the Employment Permits Acts and Regulations. Under these provisions, certain occupations, including Dairy Farm Assistants, are subject to an annual quota.
The Employment Permits Regulations 2024 (Statutory Instrument No. 444/2024) established that, from 2nd September 2024, the maximum number of General Employment Permits that may be granted for Dairy Farm Assistants is 406. This quota has now been filled.
The applicant was informed on 01 December 2025, that the application was refused on this basis, and the associated fee is to be refunded. It is not possible to carry over applications in anticipation of the next quota being announced or to grant priority treatment to any individual application.
When the new quota opens, a new application submission will be required. Applications will be assessed in the order in which they are received and in accordance with the relevant statutory criteria.
My Department appreciates the challenges faced by employers in sourcing skilled workers and continues to keep the operation of the employment permits system under review to ensure that it meets the needs of the labour market while safeguarding the integrity of the system.
