158 employment permits in agriculture refused in 2025
158 general employment permits (GEPs) for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in 2025 were refused by the state, government figures show.
The information was provided by Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Alan Dillon.
The minister had been asked in a parliamentary question by Fine Gael Tipperary TD Michael Murphy to provide the number of GEPs that have been refused in the past 12 months, the sectors most affected, and the causes of refusal.
Murphy also asked Minister Dillon if he will outline any planned policy changes to address skills and labour shortages where suitably qualified candidates are available from outside the state but are currently deemed ineligible.
Minister Dillon said that the total number of GEPs granted in 2025 reached 31,000, while 2,546 applications for GEPs were refused.
"These refusals were spread across a wide range of economic sectors, with the concentration of refusals higher in sectors such as health and social Work; accommodation and food services; followed by Construction; and Agriculture," Minister Dillon said.
The information provided by the minister showed that 158 GEP applications for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector were refused in 2025.
This was among the highest figures, only behind health and social work (867); accommodation and food services (541); other service activities (193); and construction (188).
According to Minister Dillon, the most common reasons for refusing a GEP include failure to fully complete a Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT); where the occupation applied for is ineligible for an employment permit; the remuneration proposed is below a minimum threshold; immigration-related issues; and cases where the required European Economic Area (EEA) to non-EEA employment ratio has not been satisfied.
"The criteria prescribed in the legislation that determine the grant of a permit are designed to ensure that employment permits complement the domestic and EEA labour supply; protect employment standards for non-EEA workers; and promote preferable terms and conditions of employment among employers," Minister Dillon said.
The minister said that the Department of Enterprise has concluded a review of the occupations lists, following a public consultation.
"The review examined a broad range of occupations and sectors where recruitment challenges and labour shortages have been identified," he said.
"The findings are currently being finalised and will be brought forward shortly, with any approved changes to the occupations lists to be implemented in line with established procedures.
Minister Dillon warned that any further flexibility to the employment permits system "must be carefully balanced against the need to maintain appropriate labour market protections and the integrity of the employments permit regime".
"The eligibility of roles for the GEP continues to be actively monitored and reviewed to ensure it remains responsive to economic needs while supporting fair and sustainable employment," the minister added.
