Work Permits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Ceisteanna (584)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

584. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if she and her officials have engaged with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and their officials on the need to reform the atypical scheme for non-EEA migrant fishers; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of such fishers who are currently resident in Ireland may not be covered by her Department’s new documentation scheme arising from the fact that they may have been documented at some point in time since 2016 under the terms of the atypical scheme; if she is considering a replacement system for the atypical scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6498/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

A review of the Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA fishers is being carried out by officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and my own Department.

As part of the review, stakeholders involved, or with an interest, in the scheme, including relevant Government Departments and agencies, employer groups, solicitors representing applicants, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and others were invited to make submissions by 2 February 2022, and a number of submissions have been received.

The review remains ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of March.

Regarding the Regularisation for Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme, the scheme opened for applications on 31 January 2022. Anyone, including seafishers, who meets the scheme's published criteria is eligible to apply. Full details regarding the qualifying criteria, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and the required documentation for the Scheme is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/.