Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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267. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26383/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person in question made an application under the Immigrant Investor Application on 24th May 2019 and is in the initial processing stage.

Successful applicants under the Immigrant Investment Programme and their nominated family members may be granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Therefore, given the significant immigration benefits accruing and to ensure the highest degree of transparency and accountability for the programme, it is essential that all applications are subject to enhanced levels of due diligence processes in respect of both personal and financial checks to protect the State's interests.

The INIS expects that, in 2019, processing times for applications will be between 6-9 months. I am advised that timeframe compares very favourably to international peers, some of whom operate a decision-making framework of between 12 and 24 months.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.