A total of 107 investors were naturalised under the scheme since its inception in 1989. In addition, 71 spouses and minor children of investors have been naturalised. It is important to distinguish, however, between investors who have been naturalised and the naturalisation of their spouses and children, which flows from the fact that the investor had been naturalised. Notwithstanding the existence of the investment based naturalisation scheme, it is open to any naturalised Irish citizen to apply to have his or her minor child naturalised also. It is further provided in law that the spouse of a naturalised Irish citizen can apply for naturalisation.