Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The economy is going through a transition phase and there has been significant correction, particularly in the construction sector. In some ways this opens up opportunities for the entrepreneurial sector. We are hoping that mobile capital and funding will be redirected towards start-up companies. The good news is that the high-potential start-up companies supported by Enterprise Ireland — from last year, the previous year and this year, which we will launch next week — offer exciting evidence of the number of new companies emerging on the scene, particularly in value-added activities such as software, food products, life sciences and internationally traded services.

The business permission scheme, which is operated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is currently under review by the Department and by the Minister. I would point out, however, that there are other ways in which people can get permission to start businesses. Under the business permission scheme the migrant is required to satisfy certain criteria, including investment of up to €300,000, and the original rationale for this was to encourage employment creation. However, this is not the only way in which a foreign national can operate a business in Ireland. The right to operate a business depends on immigration status. For example, EU nationals are automatically entitled to engage in business as one of their rights of free movement. In addition, non-EEA nationals who have Stamp 4 permission also hold that right. I will check this again, but my figures suggest that up to 60,000 people are in this category, which is a substantial number. However, I will have this checked as it seems high to me.

For the review of the business permission scheme we will certainly consider any ideas from the Deputy and we will work with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, the Deputy should bear in mind that we accept the point that there are significant entrepreneurial opportunities within the migrant population in Ireland. Many of the schemes based on the report of the Small Business Forum, Skillnets and training issues are now being mainstreamed to provide supports.

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