The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has published the latest figures on work permits issued to the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector this year.

The department issued 109 work permits to the sector in July, bringing the total number issued so far in 2025 to 1,116.

The updated figures show that 61 permits were issued in June this year, compared to 117 in May.

The highest number of permits so far this year were issued in February with 250, followed by 243 in March.

Across all sectors, a total of 17, 259 permits have issued in 2025 so far.

A public consultation on the review of the occupations lists for work permits is currently taking place.

The department said that these lists are used to administer Ireland’s employment permits policy.

The Ineligible Occupations List covers occupations for which there is an adequate supply of labour and skills with Ireland and the European Economic Area (EEA), and for which an employment permit will not be issued.

The Critical Skills Occupations List relates to occupations in short supply in Ireland and across the EEA.

The last review of the occupations lists took place in 2023, and resulted in 11 additional roles being placed on the Critical Skills Occupations List, and 32 roles being made eligible for a General Employment Permit.