Statement: Senator Bacik Welcomes Immigrant Investment and Start-Up Schemes, Calls for Extension to Irish Residents

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES IMMIGRANT INVESTMENT AND START-UP SCHEMES, CALLS FOR EXTENSION TO IRISH RESIDENTS

Senator Ivana Bacik, Labour Senator for Dublin University,
Thursday 9th February 2012

Speaking today in the Seanad duringa debate on the new Immigrant Investor and Start-Up Entrepeneur programmesbeing launched by the Minister for Justice, Senator Ivana Bacik welcomedthe introduction of the programmes, but called for their extension to thoseentrepeneurs already resident in Ireland.

Senator Bacik said:

“I strongly welcome the introductionof these two schemes which will both tap into the entrepreneurial potentialthat exists among migrants; and which will encourage inward investmentin Irish business, and will support start-up schemes by immigrant entrepeneurs.Those who qualify for the scheme will be given residency in the State inreturn for their investment or their entrepreneurial initiative.

Senator Bacik also said:

“I hope however to see the schemeextended to cover those entrepeneurs currently living in Ireland but whoseresidency status here is not secure; for example, individuals who are inIreland on a student visa but who have also perhaps already started upa small business or have an innovative business idea that they wish topursue. I am delighted that in answer to this point made by me in the Seanadtoday, Minister Shatter has indicated that individuals in this positionshould be accommodated within the scheme. We cannot afford to lose theimmense positive contribution that migrant entrepeneurs can make to Irishsociety.”

ENDS