Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
537. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice when the results of the review of the atypical work permit scheme for non-European Economic Area fishers will be published; her plans to move these workers to the critical skills list where they can avail of the same rights to apply for a Stamp 4 permission as other migrant workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48102/22]
View answer540. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice the number of fishers, past and present, who have been enrolled on the atypical work permit scheme for non-European Economic Area fishers to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48211/22]
View answer541. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice the number of vessel owners who currently employ fishers under the atypical work permit scheme for non-European Economic Area fishers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48213/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 537, 540 and 541 together.
A review of the Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA fishers was recently carried out by officials from my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
As part of its work, the Review Group consulted with various stakeholders involved in the scheme. Observations on the operation of the scheme were made by stakeholders either via meetings with the Review Group and/or submissions received. Almost all stakeholders provided observations on the scheme. It is intended to bring the cross-departmental group's report and recommendations to Government in the near future.
In the meantime, the Oversight Committee, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine continues to oversee the scheme as currently structured. As of 29 September 2022, a total of 520 individuals, employed by 101 vessel owners, have been granted permission under the Atypical Working Scheme since its introduction and there are 277 individuals, employed by 66 vessel owners, currently holding a letter of approval under the scheme granted between 1 July 2021 and 29 September 2022.
As the Deputy is aware, the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) was established as a cross Departmental response to address the matter of non-EEA workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet, who are not currently eligible for an employment permit under the system operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The scheme provided, for the first time, a framework for the employment of non-EEA workers within defined segments of the Irish fishing fleet and was welcomed as a solution to the risk of exploitation and to guarantee employment rights and protections to non-EEA fishers availing of the scheme.
