Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applicants who have sought business permission in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the number of applications which were received, approved, refused or abandoned; the number on hand at the end of each year; his plans to reform this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39772/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy can be obtained from the following table provided by the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department.

The current business permission arrangements are in place for a considerable period and in my view are no longer appropriate to the economic needs of the State. In that regard, INIS has been working on new immigration schemes in the area of entrepreneurship and investment. I believe there is scope for a pro-active approach in this sphere so as to contribute to our national recovery. I anticipate being in a position to publish the details of these schemes shortly.