Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

435. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the production of plays and theatre would be considered a suitable high potential start-up business in order for a non-EEA applicant to qualify for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme and secure residency status here. [53894/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

For the purposes of the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) is defined as a start-up venture that is:

- introducing a new or innovative product or service to international markets,

- capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in sales within three to four years of starting up,

- led by an experienced management team,

- headquartered and controlled in Ireland,

- less than six years old.

This is the definition of a HPSU as used by Enterprise Ireland who are actively involved in the development and promotion of Ireland as an attractive location for HPSU projects. While this definition is not intended to be absolutely rigid in the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme, it nevertheless provides guidance as to what sort of projects were envisaged when the programme was introduced. While most of the projects approved under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme have been in technology or technology related fields, the Programme is however open to any proposal - including one of the nature referred to by the Deputy - that can be demonstrated to have the potential to meet the above criteria. In applying for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme it is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate this potential. In the case of a theatrical venture the artistic and commercial track record of those involved is something that would also need to be considered.