Immigration Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Questions (527)

Niall Collins

Question:

527. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider introducing new medium to long-term visas for non-EU persons of independent means who wish to spend their retirement here, taking into account the contribution that such persons could make to the Irish economy and acknowledging that the current arrangements whereby they can only get renewal annual stamp O visas until they meet the five year residency requirement is a disincentive to retirees to move here as it does not provide them with the certainty they need to feel comfortable buying a house and making other investments here. [49310/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I have no plans to create a new immigration programme specifically for retirees of independent means. It is already open to any person to make application for residence in the State and for that application to be considered on its merits. Cases involving self-sufficient retirees arise from time to time and are evaluated by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department.

This sort of migration is far from straightforward and involves potential significant financial risks to the State. For example, while the requirement to have full medical insurance is a sine qua non, in these cases this of itself is no guarantee of such an application not being a burden on the State. In some jurisdictions inward immigration of this nature is prohibited entirely and in others lengthy waiting periods are involved or large financial investments are required prior to any definitive relocation taking place. For approval to be given to an application therefore the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service would have to be fully satisfied that no costs to the State will arise at any point from that person's residence here. Therefore the person would need to have a guaranteed and sustainable annual income sufficient for their foreseeable needs and have full medical cover. The immigration status granted is stamp 0 which is specifically aimed at providing an opportunity to remain in the State but to confer no expectation of eligibility for State funds or that is should be a pathway to long term residence or citizenship. Stamp 0 permission is made conditional on not becoming a burden on the State and for it to be renewed this condition must continue to be met.

There are also other avenues available to self sufficient retirees. The Immigrant Investor Programme offers a range of qualifying investment options and an enhanced immigration status (Stamp 4) to the successful applicant and his/her spouse or partner, and minor children. The financial thresholds for this programme have been lowered from July of this year following a review by the Government. Details of this programme are available on the INIS website www.inis.gov.ie.