Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if recommendation 8 of the Interim Evaluation of the Immigrant Investor Programme (published July 2018) was implemented; the years in which the recommended annual formal evaluations occurred; if such evaluations have been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10336/23]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the reviews of the Evaluation Committee of the Immigrant Investor Programme of 2013 and 2016 have been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10337/23]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reviews carried out of the Immigrant Investor Programme to date; the person or body such reviews were completed by; if they have been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10338/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 145, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.

The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be considered.

The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards.

However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review and having taken into account both internal and external reviews including implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this programme for cultural, social and economic use, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme. 

A number of reports and findings from international bodies such as the EU Commission, Council of Europe and OECD on similar investment schemes have also been taken on board. 

Whilst no formal annual reviews of the scheme occurred as provided for in recommendation 8 of the Interim Evaluation, the IIP unit of my Department continually reviewed and implemented any required changes to ensure that applicants and projects were screened to ensure compliance with the IIP published criteria. The screening includes due diligence and sanction checks in respect of applicants, and reputable international databases are accessed for this purpose, as and when required, to ensure that only reputable individuals are eligible for permission. These rigorous checks are aimed at protecting the integrity of the programme and the State’s interests.

In both 2013 and 2016 there were internal process and qualification criteria reviews, which were not published. Following this, in 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. Consideration will be given to the question of publishing these external reports in due course.

The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/