Horticulture Sector
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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Niall Collins (FF), Limerick County

The Deputy mentioned the significant challenge in relation to labour for growers, specifically relating to seasonal workers. A seasonal employment permit pilot scheme took place in 2025 for those sectors in horticulture with a seasonal need for more employees. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment carried out an evaluation of the pilot, which was published on 9 June. The recommendations in the report are to initiate a phase 2 pilot to fully test the scheme. It is recommended this pilot again be in the horticulture sector, taking into account the learnings from the initial pilot, and that it be initiated in quarter 3 2026 with a view to preparing for the 2027 season.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09