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Atypical Permission Scheme for Non-EEA Fishing Crews

Nationals of non-EEA (European Economic Area) states require an employment permit or other worker permission in order to work on Irish-registered fishing vessels.

In November 2015, the Government established a high level inter-Departmental Task Force in response to allegations of exploitation of undocumented migrant (non-EEA) workers on Irish fishing vessels. The remit of the Task Force was to examine these issues and formulate a co-ordinated cross-Government response to the matter. The Task Force published its Report in December 2015 and recommended putting in place an atypical worker permission mechanism for non-EEA crew members in parts of the Irish commercial sea-fishing fleet.

The Atypical Permission Scheme for non-EEA workers on Irish Fishing Vessels opened for applications on 15th February, 2016. For approximately the first 3 months (to 15th May, 2016), applications under the Scheme will be confined to non-EEA crew members who are already working in Ireland. Following this initial period, applications will only be accepted from outside Ireland.

For more information, please see the section 'Atypical Permission Scheme for Non-EEA Fishing Crews' on the Employment Permits page.