Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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385. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality 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]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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386. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality 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]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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393. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality 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]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I 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.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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387. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will consent to giving a person (details supplied) a visa that will permit them to work pending the conclusion of a case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33258/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person referred to by the Deputy previously held a permission to be in the State, which was  extended as part of the Covid related emergency temporary extension of permissions to 31 May 2022.

It is open to the person concerned to write to Unit 2 in the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department to request a change of status by email or post at the contact details provided below. 

Email: 

Postal Address:

Residence Unit 2

Immigration Service Delivery

Department of Justice

13-14 Burgh Quay

Dublin 2 D02 XK70

Ireland

When requesting a change of permission, the person should provide full details of their immigration permissions previously held and set out their current status and future intentions in the State.