Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

539. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the income needed for a retired couple that wish to reside here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54965/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Over recent years, retired persons seeking to come to Ireland to live has become a particular channel for migration into the State. As the Deputy will appreciate it is the responsibility of the State to decide polices for the management of migration and the control of our borders in the public interest. The simple fact that someone may wish to settle here as a retired person does not, of itself, create an entitlement for that person to do so.

Nevertheless, permission to retire in the State is granted to persons who can demonstrate sufficient funds to ensure that they will not become a burden on the State. The financial threshold at present is considered to be an income of €50,000 per person per annum, plus the person must have access to a lump sum of money to cover any unforeseen major expenses.

Following a public consultation process in October 2016 the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department undertook a review of this policy, with a view to bringing greater clarity and consistency to this area, and also to consider the economic factors involved. This review has been finalised and decisions on foot of it will be made in the near future.

While it would be premature at this stage to outline the details of the proposed scheme I hope the Deputy will appreciate that it is reasonable that persons seeking to retire in the State should have a close association with Ireland, that they can fully support themselves while resident here, not become an undue burden on State services, and that they should be approved for this purpose before taking up residence.

It is important to strike a reasonable balance between the aspirations of prospective non-EEA retirees and the interests of the State. Accordingly, the key financial consideration in respect of a retiree, particularly those that have not paid tax in Ireland, or otherwise contributed to the Exchequer, is that the person must have sufficient and sustainable resources to ensure that they will not now or in the future become a burden on the State.