Foreign workers are needed to keep the economy going, says ISME

IRELAND needs foreign workers to fill the labour shortage in the services and agricultural sectors, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME) association insisted yesterday.

Ireland is the only country to allow people from new EU member states the right to work without restrictions from May 1. But Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said we may change the social welfare system to stop these workers claiming benefits here, following a similar measure being introduced in Britain.

ISME, however, warned yesterday against cutting back on the number of work permits being issued to foreigners here because figures from recent years show that we need them.