Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Justice believes it would not be appropriate for me to provide details on, or make reference to, the specific project to which the Senator refers.

The IIP was established more than 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.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 programme for cultural, social and economic use.

As the Senator is aware, the Minister, Deputy Harris, obtained approval from the Government to close the IIP to further new applications from 15 February 2023. It is appreciated that closure of the programme has given rise to many queries and concerns on the part of individuals and organisations with an interest in it. The Minister and his officials are committed to an orderly wind-down of the programme and the management of the closure in a way that is fair to all.

I assure Senator O'Loughlin that the Department of Justice is aware of the many organisations that are anxious to receive a decision and it will communicate with all individuals and organisations in a timely manner. However, the volume of applications to the programme has accelerated rapidly in recent years and this has given rise to significant pressures on the IIP unit. In addition, a significant number of queries have been received since the programme's closure on 15 February 2023. The Department confirms that all applications recently received are currently pending examination and that each application will be examined on its own merits.

It is not possible at this time to give an indication of when individual applications will receive a decision. The programme's independent evaluation committee has requested that an analysis of certain issues be undertaken to assist it in the task of ensuring that the closure of the programme is carried out in a manner that is consistent and fair to applicants. The committee has committed to more frequent and intense engagement to progress these matters, and the patience of stakeholders is requested over the coming months while this work is completed.

The Minister assures all applicants and project sponsors that the closure of the programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved. Detailed communications, including an updated frequently asked questions document, will continue to be provided through the immigration service delivery website, www.irishimmigration.ie, on the arrangements applicable to the closure and winding down of the programme.