Written answers
Thursday, 22 June 2017
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Fishing Industry
Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
29. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the atypical worker permit for non-EU migrant fishing crew; if such a review is planned; and if he will meet representatives from the international transport federation that have concerns regarding the welfare of non-EU migrant fishing crew operating on Irish vessels. [28072/17]
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The matters which arose in relation to non-EEA workers in the fishing industry required a cross-Departmental and cross-agency response. The Government set up an inter-Departmental Task Force to examine the issues involved.
The main recommendation of the report of the Task Force was 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 the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
The scheme has been in operation for just over a year and therefore further time is needed to allow the scheme to become established and to deliver on its objectives.
In tandem with the development of this scheme, under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, 11 Departments and Agencies were brought together and developed a Memorandum of Understanding to underpin the monitoring and enforcement of the scheme.
The role of my Department, in relation to this scheme, is solely in respect of maintaining the Central Depository of contracts and supporting documentation submitted under the Scheme, in order to ensure that the cap of 500 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, which is led by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with relevant State enforcement bodies, provides for a rigorous and effective inspection system.
No comments