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Hi all

Just wondering if any of you make applications to the INIS at the Department of Justice for non - EEA migrant fishermen in the Irish Commercial Fleet. We make a good few of these applications every year. The INIS won't be accepting any new applications from 31 December. As the last day of the scheme is the 31st December 2022 any new contracts would have to start no later than the 30th March 2023 due to the 90-day validity period of the Letters of Approval. We have renewed all permits that fall into this category.

The INIS say that the circumstances of all fishermen holding permission to remain in the State on the 1st January 2023 will be managed pragmatically and sympathetically by the department. They also say that it is unknown whether extensions will be granted for seafarers whose work permits expire later next year pending the implementation of the employment permit scheme by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The DETE say that the overall time frame for implementation of the inter Departmental recommendations re the move from Justice to DETE is expected to be approximately 12 months. The work of the Group will be initiated after receipt of an evidence-based submission to remove the occupation of fishers from the Ineligible Occupations List from the fishing sector. They say that these roles remain on the Ineligible Occupations List and are not eligible for an employment permit. It seems a bit premature to be moving responsibility for processing to a Department that still regards this occupation as ineligible at present.

We anticipate a lot of disruption for permit holders who will be up for renewal mid next year. Just wondering if anyone has heard anything about this interdepartmental transfer?