Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. As the Senator knows and as I conveyed to the House earlier, it would not be appropriate for me to provide details on or make reference to specific projects but I can only imagine the difficulty and challenges for workers, as Senator Gallagher outlined. I think of them and their families. I understand his request for clarification for them. It seems to me that a number of the issues raised may be relevant for certain labour rights bodies, other organisations, workplace relations and the like.

On the more broad issue, I am pleased that I have been invited to the Seanad today because it is quite significant as regards timing because, as the Senator may be aware, today I obtained approval from Government to close the immigrant investor programme to further applications with effect from close of business, tomorrow, Wednesday, 15 February. The immigrant investor programme was established over a decade ago, during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty, to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the programme has brought, as the Senator said, significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by my Department to the highest professional standards. However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review, including any implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this scheme for cultural, social and economic use. We have also taken on board a number of reports and findings from international bodies such as the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the OECD on similar investment schemes. Taking all of this into account, and informed by both internal and external reviews, I recommended to Government that it was timely to close the programme to new applications; I received Government agreement to do so this afternoon.

Since its inception, the IIP has approved investment of almost €1.252 billion, which has benefited many enterprises, both economic and social, including community and sporting organisations. The closure of the programme will take effect from close of business tomorrow, Wednesday, 15 February 2023. The closure of the IIP will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be processed. In addition, there are a number of projects for which an application has not been formally submitted but have been significantly developed following contact with the IIP unit of the Department of Justice. It is proposed that such projects be given a period of three months in which to finalise and submit formal applications. Otherwise, the scheme will be closed to all new applications from close of business tomorrow, 15 February. Detailed communications will be provided through the immigration service delivery website on the arrangements applicable to the closure and winding down of the scheme. All applicants are subject to, and remaining applications will continue to be subject to, rigorous screening by the Department of Justice as to suitability for permission to enter and reside in the State. The IIP unit undertakes detailed due diligence, politically-exposed persons and sanction checks in respect of prospective applicants, accessing reputable international databases as and when required to ensure that only reputable individuals are eligible for permission. If approved, the applicant makes their actual investment in accordance with their approved application, provides evidence of same and it is only on completion of this process that they are issued with an IIP permission letter and, on registration, a stamp 4 immigration permission. Ireland is in a very different economic space than when the scheme was introduced in 2012. We see many countries around the world reviewing, revising and in some cases deciding to close similar schemes. I will publish details of interim measures on the immigration services website, irishimmigration.ie, in the coming days.

The Government also operates a start-up entrepreneur programme, STEP, also established in 2012, as a way for entrepreneurs with an innovative idea to apply for a residence permission in Ireland. This scheme will continue. I take seriously the issues the Senator raised. I take the opportunity today to outline a pretty significant decision the Government has made in this space. It sounds to me that various issues raised may well be appropriate for a variety of bodies and organisations distinct and separate from the IIP programme. I am happy to link with Senator offline about that matter.