Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019
261. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he plans to launch the revised non-EEA retirees scheme; when full details will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43571/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland operates an immigration system with various legal pathways open to persons to enter and remain in the State in accordance with national immigration legislation. The purpose for which someone intends to reside in the State normally determines his or her immigration status and the attendant conditions are reflected in the type of immigration stamp provided.
I have, since April 2018, introduced a number of preclearance processes to facilitate and streamline entry to the State. These apply to both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals. One of the key objectives of the revised procedures is to provide certainty to applicants prior to their arrival and make their immigration process as straightforward as possible both at the port of entry and on registration of their immigration permission once in the State.
Such preclearance processes are currently in place for Lay Volunteers, Ministers of Religion, and De Facto Partners of (1) an Irish National, (2) a person holding a Critical Skills Employment Permit and (3) a non EEA Researcher on a hosting agreement .
Further information on these schemes is available on the Immigration Service website -
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Visa%20Information
A draft immigration scheme for non EEA national retirees applying for permission to reside in the State remains under consideration but wider policy matters have meant that the timescale for completion of the scheme has had to be extended.
I hope to be in a position to announce a scheme as soon as these matters have been addressed.
