Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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188. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the criteria have changed for persons (details supplied) applying for a stamp 0 to remain in the State. [8050/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the criteria for persons wishing to retire in the state was reviewed in 2014 and a notice was placed on the website www.inis.gov.iein March 2015 aimed at clarifying and standardising the terms and conditions in respect of applications from retired foreign nationals seeking to come and live in Ireland. Prior to that more ad hoc arrangements were applied in this area.

The key financial consideration in respect of a retiree is that the person must have sufficient and sustainable resources to ensure that they will not now, nor in the future become a burden on the State. This is a fair and reasonable expectation on the part of the State and, in the case of retirees, the income level was set at €50,000 per person per annum. The applicant would also be expected to have a lump sum significant enough to cater for unforeseen circumstances, for example, health care and possible nursing home care in the future.

All States operate immigration controls for well established reasons of public policy, including consideration of an economic nature. To this end policies regarding all non-nationals wishing to enter the State are kept under review and revised from time to time. This will have regard to the situation in comparable jurisdictions and in particular the opportunities open to Irish citizens retiring overseas to non EU countries.

The person in question was granted permission to remain for one year in 2014 following a review of an initial refusal decision in 2013. Following a further application at the expiration of this permission, the person was granted an additional permission as an exceptional measure. The person concerned was advised at that stage, that based on their income, which was well below the current threshold of €50,000 per annum and the previous threshold of €35,000 that no further permission would be granted in their case.

As the Deputy will be aware, I have asked my officials to conduct a review of the matter which will include a consideration of the options that might be available to Irish nationals seeking retirement overseas. Any changes to the immigration regime for non-EEA retirees, arising from the review or otherwise would be appropriate to be dealt with by the incoming Minister.