Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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1166. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that need to be undertaken to protect illegal workers in the fishing industry from exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19447/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The 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 Department, my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

In tandem with the development of this scheme under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, 11 Departments or Agencies were brought together 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.

My Department 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 the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with relevant State enforcement bodies provides for a rigorous and effective inspection system.