Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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264. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will intervene in a situation where a practising doctor in County Galway (details supplied) has been refused a stamp 4 support letter from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32391/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that the person concerned in the details supplied was granted a Multi-Site General Employment Permit on 26^thJanuary 2022 and is currently working in the State as a non-consultant hospital doctor on the basis of this employment permit.

On 27^thApril 2022 an application for a Stamp 4 support letter was received from the person concerned. However, this application was refused on 4^thJune 2022 as the applicant did not have the required 21 months continuous employment in the State on the basis of a general employment permit.

It not possible for a Stamp 4 support letter to be issued until 21 months have been completed on the General Employment Permit held, in this case 26^thOctober 2023. However it is possible to submit an new application four weeks prior to this date and it will be processed as soon as the required 21 months have been completed.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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265. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he envisages his Department will make a decision on permitting the owners of Irish flagged fishing vessels to employ non-EEA fishers under one of its work permit schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32411/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Justice report on the Review of the Atypical Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet concluded that the employment of non-EEA crew in the Irish fishing fleet, which had been catered for under the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) since 2015, should be provided for under the Employment Permits system.

The occupation of Sea-fisher is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and, as such, is not eligible for an employment permit. Sectors submissions seeking amendment to regulations to provide access for the role of fisherman to the employment permits system have been undergoing review with a report on recommendations and any changes necessary is being finalised at present.

The timeframe for implementation of the Department of Justice's recommendations was expected to be up to 12 months from its announcement date which was October 2022.