Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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90. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the recent rule changes to the immigrant investor programme became applicable; when the public was made aware of these changes; when her Department ceased taking applications under the scheme in 2016; if the public was made aware that such applications would be rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3825/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the recent changes to the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) were published on the INIS website on the 20 December 2016. These changes are applicable to all applications made on and after the 2 January 2017, the date from which the next round of applications for the IIP will be accepted. INIS has recently published, on its website, the application periods for 2017 in order to provide a timeline during which applications to the IIP will be accepted.

Applications for the previous IIP application period closed on Wednesday 14 September 2016 and all applications received to this date were accepted and dealt with under the previous IIP programme criteria. A small number of applications were received after this date and they were returned to the applicants as they were outside of the published time for the receipt of applications. My officials are aware that in the case of a very limited number of cases, arrangements may have advanced to a stage where it might be appropriate to permit them to proceed to conclusion under the investment arrangements that applied prior to 2 January 2017. These cases will be brought to the attention of the expert independent inter-Departmental Evaluation Committee who will be asked at its next meeting, scheduled for 22 February 2017, to consider the position.