Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider lifting working visa restrictions for skilled non-EU nationals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26366/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006 provided for the establishment of the "Green Card" employment permit for occupations where high level strategic skills shortages exist. This Green Card Scheme replaces the work visa/work authorisation scheme which has been discontinued. The Deputy will be aware that the issuing of Green Cards and employment permits to non-EEA nationals is, along with labour market policy generally, a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

A person who has obtained a Green Card permit will then have little difficulty in obtaining an Irish visa if they are coming from a visa required country such as China.

In addition to the opportunities available to non-EEA migrants to avail of a "Green Card" employment permit the Government this year approved two new schemes, proposed by myself, which are designed to stimulate investment and enterprise in Ireland by suitably qualified foreign nationals. The Immigrant Investor Programme and the Start up Entrepreneur Programme were formally launched on 30 March and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has been open to accept applications since 16 April. The Programmes capitalise on the opportunities that exist for our immigration system to tap into the entrepreneurial capacity of current and future migrants and also to bring investment into Ireland.