Independent TD Carol Nolan says that urgent consideration must be given to placing the role of agricultural or heavy vehicle mechanic on the Critical Skills list maintained by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Deputy Nolan was speaking after the Minister Simon Coveney confirmed to her in a parliamentary reply that the occupation of mechanic – agricultural or heavy vehicle – is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List.
As such, an employment permit cannot be granted at present, his Department has engaged with the Department of Transport on the sector and expects to receive a submission on mechanics when a review of the occupations lists commences in coming weeks
The Independent TD said she had raised the matter with the Minister following representations from The Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association who informed her that areas of the agriculture sector are facing enormous and prolonged difficulties around recruitment of skilled staff.
It was also the subject of her contribution to a Dáil debate last week on the future of education, further education and apprenticeships.
“As I understand it from the FTMTA that there are in excess of 670 vacant positions for agricultural mechanics across the industry and on average every Farm Machinery Dealership has two open positions for a qualified mechanic,” said Deputy Nolan.
“I also understand that 85% of Farm Machinery Dealerships are trying to recruit with 67% having positions open for more than 6 months.
“Organisations such as the FTMTA clearly cannot source workers suitable Irish/EEA nationals undertake the work that is needed and that is why they have called for an review of the Critical Skills list to support the inclusion of agricultural mechanics.
“It is an option that Government must give serious attention to. Minister Coveney informs me that the next review of the lists is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks and that stakeholders and interested parties are invited to register their interest to receive notification on the Employment Permits page of the Department’s website.
“This is a conversation we need to have if farms, who reply on the expertise of agricultural mechanics are to survive without major inconvenience or disruption to their operations.
“There also needs to be a renewed focus on developing apprenticeships for these roles so that we can draw our own young people in to develop a rewarding and necessary set of critical skills,” concluded Deputy Nolan.
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