Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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123. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 13 December 2022, the status of the cross-departmental group, co-chaired by his Department, to oversee implementation of the transition from the atypical scheme for non-EEA crew in the Irish fishing fleet to the employment permits scheme; the terms of reference of the group; the membership of the group; the number of times the group has met to date; if minutes are taken in respect of the group's meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9092/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Justice Review the Atypical Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet included in its recommendations that a cross-departmental group be established comprising senior officials from relevant Government departments and agencies to oversee implementation of the transition of fishers in the Irish fleet from the Atypical Working Scheme to the Employment Permits system.

This group will be co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and will commence its work upon receipt of an evidence-based submission to my Department from the fishing sector, as previously advised, requesting the occupation of fishers be removed from the Ineligible Occupations List.

Officials of my Department have engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to finalise the Terms of Reference for the group and its membership. DAFM have also advised that An Bord Iascaigh Mhara have provided assistance to the seafood sector representatives in preparing the business case. The sector are expected to make their submission in due course.