Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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952. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if advice will be provided for persons (details supplied) in respect of their current status within the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12919/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As Minister, I do not comment on individual STEP applications, however, my Department has recently engaged with the representatives of those concerned in this regard.

The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) was introduced by the Irish Government in 2012 to allow for innovative entrepreneurs to apply for permission to establish their business and reside in Ireland on a full time basis. The Programme enables non-EEA nationals outside of the State and their families who commit to establishing a high potential start-up business in Ireland to acquire a secure residency status in the State. The programme is particularly aimed at start-up enterprises in the priority innovation area.

However, I can advise the Deputy that a Stamp 1 immigration permission is granted to a non-EEA national based on their employment permit having first been granted by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Their immigration permission is therefore linked to their employment permit.

Any non-EEA national with an employment permit, who has ceased to be in employment, for any reason, must advise the Employment Permits Unit of DETE and Unit B, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department of the change in their circumstances.

The person concerned can write to the Immigration Service by post or email at the contact details below to request the permission letter. Upon examination of the request, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division will, if necessary, issue a temporary permission to remain in the State, which would allow the person concerned to seek a further employment permit.

However, they will not be able to start a new employment without first having been issued with an updated work permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The spouse of the person cited may also seek an employment permit.

Email: DRPCustomerservice@justice.ie

Postal Address:

Unit B – Domestic Residence and Permissions DivisionImmigration Service DeliveryDepartment of Justice13-14 Burgh QuayDublin 2 D02 XK70Ireland