Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not have a role in the enforcement of employment or immigration law and therefore did not participate in the recent multi-agency inspections led by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) with the assistance of An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, I have not received, nor would I expect to receive, a report on the inspections.

The report of the Government’s inter-Departmental Task Force on Non-EEA Workers in the Irish Fishing Industry recommended the establishment of a sector-specific Atypical Worker Permission system in order 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 is an extension of the existing Atypical Worker Permission schemes administered by the Department of Justice and Equality (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service - INIS).

My Department’s role in the Department of Justice and Equality scheme is limited solely to hosting the 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.

As recommended by the Task Force, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been put in place by the relevant State enforcement bodies to provide a rigorous and effective inspection system. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has the lead role in this group. My Department is a party to the MOU only insofar as the Central Depository is concerned.