Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the report by the Implementation Group to address the recommendations of the March 2022 Department of Justice Report on the Review of the Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet; the timeline for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/23]
View answerFollowing the Department of Justice Report on the Review of the Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet, the Implementation Group to address the Report's recommendations was established. This Group includes representatives from the three Government Departments along with representatives from sector agencies.
The work of the Implementation Group has progressed well over the past year with work currently focused on providing assistance and guidance to the fishing sector on the final stages of securing inclusion of non-EEA fisher crew as an eligible occupation for employment permits.
My Department is engaging with An Bord Iascaigh Mhara in a consultation exercise to conclude this transition and establish the conditions governing the fishing sector's access to the Employment Permits System in a structured and well managed manner. My Department met with sector stakeholders bodies during October and are awaiting written observation from the sector on the draft structure.
Following that process the Implementation Group expect a report to be finalised in the coming weeks.
