Government urged to review thresholds for general employment permit holders
According to FTMTA chief executive Michael Farrelly, should thresholds for general employment holders rise from €30,000 to €39,000 by January of next year, "many of our members will be facing a major challenge".
An extension on the implementation of salary thresholds for general employment permits is among the key recommendations detailed by the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) in its pre-budget submission to the Government.
According to FTMTA chief executive Michael Farrelly, should thresholds for general employment holders rise from €30,000 to €39,000 by January of next year, which the current Government is committed to, "many of our members will be facing a major challenge".
“We have requested a review and extension of the implementation timeline in our budget submission," Mr Farrelly explained.
"Such an increase could also undermine sector competitiveness due to ongoing global pressures and rising labour costs.”
FTMTA president Karol Duigenan said that to implement a measure such as this given the unwelcome deceleration of activity in the agricultural sector would represent a "retrograde step for our members, many of whom have provided vital rural employment for generations".
"In a wider context, many fellow rural employers may have to consider reduced time or potential redundancies if the proposal comes into effect on January 1 next," Mr Duigenan said.
"That’s why, at a minimum, the implementation of this measure must be extended.”
The FTMTA has also called for the implementation of an accelerated capital allowances scheme which “would encourage investment in high-technology machinery for environmental efficiency and traceability of inputs”.
In addition, it has recommended the extension of the accelerated allowance scheme for farm safety equipment to December 2025, including a 50% write-off for agricultural and forestry contractors over two years.
Mr Duigenan said that other European countries have had such a scheme in place for several years.
"We believe that such an initiative would stimulate the Irish market and encourage further spending on more efficient and climate-friendly machinery,” he said.
The FTMTA is also calling for financial grant support parity for agricultural contractors, under a "nationally supported equivalent of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme”.
The FTMTA will be holding its annual general meeting at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise on Friday, October 4.
