Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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649. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his departmental officials have met with representatives of the fishing vessel owner organisations since March this year to discuss the review of the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44829/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The review to which the Deputy is referring is led by the Department of Justice with assistance from officials in both my Department and that of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I understand that the Review Group afforded opportunities to all stakeholders to provide feedback on the operation of the existing scheme both via meetings and written submissions. I further understand that the Minister for Justice intends to bring the Review Group's report to Government for consideration.

In the meantime, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has co-ordinated engagement with employer representatives in the seafood sector (including fishing, seafood processing and aquaculture) to advise on the procedures and steps necessary to apply for sectoral access to its Employment Permit scheme and Bord Iascaigh Mhara has been assisting the sector in this regard. I understand that the most recent formal meeting in that regard took place in July.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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650. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of current contracts for fishers employed under the terms of the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers that are currently on file in his Department’s central depository unit in Clonakilty; if a breakdown of the fishers by nationality will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44830/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The number of current contracts for fishers employed under the terms of the Atypical Work Permit Scheme for non-EEA Workers in the Irish Fishing Fleet comes to 295. This figure represents original applications or renewal contracts submitted to my Department’s Central Depository Unit on behalf of non-EEA workers within the past 12 months.

The table below provides a breakdown of these 295 current contracts by nationality. Any subsequent permits under the scheme are a matter for the Minister for Justice.