Questions

377. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in light of the recent announcement that the quota for general employment permits for dairy farm assistants has been exhausted, with no new applications being accepted, the representations his Department has received from farming representative bodies regarding the urgent need to increase the quota for the upcoming spring season. [7…

378. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given the critical labour shortages being reported in the dairy-farming sector, particularly during the busy spring calving season, if he will commit to immediately reopening or extending the quota for dairy farm assistants, or otherwise fast-tracking additional permits to ensure farms have sufficient staff for the spring workload. […

379. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the timeframe for when the current review of the occupations lists for employment permits will conclude; and if the Department will publish interim arrangements or special allowances for agricultural employers facing urgent labour shortages while that review is ongoing. [71065/25]

364. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the rationale for setting a maximum number of general employment permits for dairy farm assistants; the criteria used to determine this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69778/25]

365. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he intends to review or increase the quota for general employment permits for dairy farm assistants, in light of evidence that the current quota has already been filled; the timeline for such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69779/25]

366. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of applicants who have been refused a general employment permit for the role of dairy farm assistant solely on the basis that the quota has been filled for the years 2022 to 2025 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69781/25]

368. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department will be reopening quota’s for dairy farm assistants under the general employment permits scheme; when this is likely to commence, in view that the quota has been reached and now all subsequent applications have been rejected, taking into account that many employers urgently require dairy farm assistants for the upcoming…

370. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total number of dairy farm assistants applications received since eligibility was first introduced in 2018, and for each subsequent year from 2019 to 2024, and from 1 January to the 30 November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69840/25]

374. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the process in place whereby if a general employment permit for a dairy farm assistant has not been taken up/activated or if the applicant has been made redundant, if a mechanism is in place to facilitate an applicant whose application was rejected as the maximum number of general employment permits that may be granted to dairy farm assi…

428. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagements that he, or any representative of his Department or associated State agencies, have had with management of a company (details supplied) in 2024; the current number of employees at this factory; if he has received any indication of a timeframe as to when this factory will become fully operational; and if he will make a stat…