Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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144. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline, since the announcement on 3 July 2024 regarding the quota of 150 general employment permits for the role of sea fisher, the number of applications for these permits that have been made by vessel-owner employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38857/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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A new quota of 150 General Employment Permits for the role of sea fisher was introduced on 3 July 2024 to address skills shortages in the Irish fishing fleet.

The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that up to 25th September 2024 there has been one application received in respect of the role of Sea Fisher, received on 27th August.

All applications for Employment Permits are processed in date order. The current processing date in respect of new General Employment Permits is 21st August 2024. It is therefore expected that this application will be processed shortly.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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145. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in relation to the announcement on 3 July 2024 regarding the quota of 150 general employment permits for the role of sea fisher, the criteria for eligible vessels upon which fishers can be recruited match that of the former atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38858/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As announced by Minister Higgins on 3 July 2024, a quota was extended for Sea Fishers in the Irish fishing fleet, transitioning from the previous Atypical Working Scheme provided by the Department of Justice. I can confirm that under the Employment Permits System, the criteria for the role of Sea Fisher in the Irish fishing fleet differ from what was required under the Atypical Working Scheme. Employment permits for sea fishers are not limited by vessel length, nor does the exclusion of the categories mentioned in the details supplied apply. All segments of sea fishing activities are eligible, and in most instances are required, to hold an employment permit for non-EEA Sea Fishers once the other necessary criteria have been met. These criteria include meeting the role description of a Sea Fisher, however, this is not restricted by the segment of the Irish Fishing Fleet in question.

An interdepartmental working group oversaw the transition of the role of sea fishers in the Irish fleet into the employment permits system. This working group held meetings with the sector, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consult on the role. Based on this consultation, the working group concluded that the criteria for eligible vessels for which fishers can be recruited would not migrate from the Atypical Working Scheme to the employment permit system and that all sectors of sea fishing would be eligible for an employment permit.

Since the introduction of the quota for sea fishers, my Department has hosted information sessions for the sector to help guide this transition and inform them of the criteria they are now subject to. Further information on the criteria for this role is also available on my Department's website, and my officials are prepared to provide further clarification when needed.