Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
385. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice when she will publish the review of the atypical work permit scheme which is in place for non-EEA migrant fishers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the atypical work permit scheme will be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33952/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra393. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a publication date of the review of atypical work permit scheme for non-European Economic Area fishers given that she recently declared that it was imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33490/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 385, 386 and 393 together.
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.The Review of the AWS for Sea Fishers is a cross Departmental review with representatives from my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 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.
The cross-departmental group recently completed its work and its report remains under active consideration by the relevant Departments, with a view to bringing 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.
