Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
61. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the maximum quota for general employment permits for workers in farming and the food industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12954/26]
View answerThe Employment Permits System is kept under continuous review to ensure that it remains responsive to verified labour market needs while maintaining appropriate protections for the domestic and EEA labour force. As part of this approach, a number of roles in the farming and food production sectors are subject to maximum quotas under the General Employment Permit framework.
For the farming sector, the current maximum quotas are as follows:
Dairy Farm Assistants – 850 permits
Pig Farm Assistants – 250 permits
Pig Farmers – 250 permits
Horticulture Operatives (General Category) – 1,000 permits
Turning to the food industry, the maximum quotas in place are:
Bakers and Flour Confectioners – 250 permits
Butchers – 350 permits
Meat Processing Operatives – 1000 Permits
These quotas are designed to target sectors where ongoing and well-documented labour shortages exist, ensuring that the Employment Permits System remains evidence-based and balanced. They also work in parallel with initiatives across Government and industry aimed at strengthening workforce planning, training, and improved employment practices within these sectors.
My Department continues to monitor labour market conditions closely, and these quotas will be reviewed as necessary to ensure that they remain effective and appropriately aligned with Ireland’s economic and labour-market needs.
