Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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157. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department remains on course to announce in October 2023, as per a previous response, the replacement of the abolished atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43499/23]

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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167. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department remains on course to announce in October 2023, as per a previous response, the replacement of the abolished atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44036/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 167 together.

Following the Department of Justice Report on the Review of the Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet, the Implementation Group to address the Report's recommendations was established. This Group includes representatives from the three Government Departments along with representatives from sector agencies.

The work of the Implementation Group has progressed well over the past year with work currently focused on providing assistance and guidance to the fishing sector on the final stages of securing inclusion of non-EEA fishermen as an eligible occupation for employment permits, appropriate employment criteria and the permit application process.

My Department is engaging with An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and sector agencies in order to consult with industry and employee stakeholder bodies during October. Following that process the Implementation Group expect a report to be finalised by end October.