Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1406. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the permit system for fishing workers from outside the European Economic Area can be replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matters that arose in relation to non-EEA workers in the fishing industry required a cross-Departmental and cross agency response as different Departments and Agencies had the capacity to bring the necessary expertise, legislative powers and resources to bear on the issues that were brought to light. To this end an inter-Departmental Task Force was formed by the Government.
The report of the Government’s Task Force on Non-EEA Workers in the Irish Fishing Industry recommended the establishment of a sector-specific Atypical Worker Permission system which is an extension of the existing Atypical Worker Permission schemes administered by the Department of Justice and Equality (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service – INIS). The purpose of this scheme is to provide a structured and transparent framework for the employment of non-EEA workers within defined segments of the Irish commercial sea-fishing fleet. This system was established and is operated through the co-operative efforts of my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister Agriculture, Food and the Marine and my Department.
In tandem with the development of this scheme, 11 Departments or Agencies were brought together under the aegis of my Department and developed a 'Memorandum of Understanding for the Monitoring and Enforcement of the terms of Employment of non –EEA crewmen in parts of the Irish Commercial Sea Fishing Fleet pursuant to the establishment of the Atypical Worker Permission scheme'. Up to that point inspections on vessels were carried out primarily by the Marine Survey Office and the Health and Safety Authority. Inspectors of the Workplace Relations Commission, based on newly acquired powers were trained and equipped, with support from a number of marine agencies, to board vessels and carry out their own inspections. In the period 1st June, 2016 to 1st April, 2017 the WRC had inspected 80% of the fleet that comes within the aegis of the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme. I am informed the WRC objective is to inspect the remainder by Summer 2017.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine established and hosts a Central Depository, the purpose of which is to register the eligible contracts and supporting documentation required under the Scheme and to ensure that the ceiling of 500 contracts is not exceeded in any 12 month period. The Department of Justice and Equality retains responsibility for immigration matters under the scheme while the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) put in place and led by my Department with relevant State enforcement bodies provides for a rigorous and effective inspection system.
The scheme is a relatively recent initiative and I am not aware of any plans to replace it.
