Brendan Griffin
Ceist:743. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27075/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 June 2017
Ceisteanna (743)
Freagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, arising from an ongoing review of Business, Entrepreneur and Investor related migration schemes currently being undertaken by INIS, it was decided to suspend the 'Business Permission Scheme' with effect from 16th March 2016. The suspension does not affect applications received before that date or the status of persons already holding permission under the scheme.
It is open, however, to persons seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis of a different business proposal to make an application under the Start Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). This Programme was introduced in 2012, to enable non-EEA Nationals and their families commit to a high potential start up business (HPSU) in Ireland.
All applicants to the STEP programme must secure funding of at least €50,000 in order to meet the criteria. This funding can be from their own resources, a business loan, Business Angel/Venture Capital funding or a Grant from an Irish State Agency. The programme already provides for investment into high tech start up schemes. There is an Expert Independent Evaluation Committee who review and evaluate all applications under the various strands of the investor programme. It should be noted that there is no question of a person who contributes to the funding of €50,000 under the STEP, other than the entrepreneur herself/himself, receiving a residency permission under this programme.
The Deputy may also be aware that it is open to non-EEA investors who themselves wish to obtain a residency permission, to consider the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), which allows investors to acquire a residence permission, on investment of €1 million into an approved project.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by email 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 email service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.