Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of business visas issued by his Department in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 under the immigration investor and start up entrepreneurs programme; if he will name the companies involved and their area of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20751/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Immigrant Investor Programme and the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme were opened for applications in April 2012. Since then, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service have received 27 applications for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme and 10 Applications for the Immigrant Investor Programme. Fourteen applications have been approved under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme, seven applications have been refused, one applicant gained an alternative status and the remainder are still under consideration. Three applications have been approved under the Immigrant Investor Programme and the remainder are still under consideration.

It has been the long standing policy of the Department of Justice and Equality, under both my office and that of previous Ministers, to respect the privacy of individual migrants and not to divulge their personal details. I can say however that to date the total investment committed under both Programmes is of the order of €10.5 million and that it is projected that 270 jobs will be retained or created on foot of these investments in the ICT, recycling and financial services areas. In addition two organisations, one educational and the other a charity, are receiving substantial endowments to support and develop their activities.