Colm Brophy
Dublin South-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The Minister has outlined very clearly our intention in relation to this matter. We have always been very clear that the ARP would be a temporary provision. It was introduced in 2022 as a response to a crisis, always with the view that it would be phased out. That remains the case.”
“It is important to look at the ARP in the context of what is happening here. We are reducing the payment back to the original rate in order to fulfil the original intention. We thank the people for the generosity they showed in opening their homes to Ukrainians who came to live with us here in Ireland.”
“It is important, as the Minister has mentioned, to recognise and thank all of the people who participated in the scheme, and to recognise the work of the Irish Red Cross and the many people who have made the scheme a success. We recognise that there are difficulties with schemes, and that is why this one has been under constant review.”
“What we want to work towards is a solution which recognises that contribution and which examines how, in the longer term, we can work with the Ukrainian people in our country and with the Government of Ukraine in order to ensure that a pathway exists for them to either continue to live here or, if they so choose, to return home.”
“lreland ratified the convention on International Women's Day, 8 March 2019. Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026 is structured around the four pillars of the convention, namely, prevention, protection, prosecution and policy co-ordination.”
“Some of the treaty provisions relate to the justice sphere and, therefore, Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In light of Ireland’s position under Protocol 21, the court determined that two decisions were necessary, one to cover areas coming within scope of Protocol 21 where an opt-in is required and another t…”
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“This proposal is part of the broader pact on migration and asylum agreed in 2024, which seeks to create an integrated, sustainable and comprehensive EU migration policy that balances fairness and firmness. Readmission is identified as a key part of the returns process in the Commission's recent proposal for a new returns regulation. Readmission agreements are also an important part of an external dimension of migration policy and are closely linked to the objectives of the migration and asylum pact, particularly in strengthening co-operation with third countries. Opting into this Council decision to open negotiations on a readmission agreement with Kazakhstan would clearly demonstrate Ireland’s commitment to a common EU-wide solution to migration, a commitment that is already evidenced by our opting into the EU asylum and migration pact.”
“Ireland is currently party to 12 EU-level readmission agreements including with Hong Kong, the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Albania, Sri Lanka, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Montenegro, the Republic of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Georgia. In order for any migration management system to function it must have an effective and credible policy on return, including readmission. A call by the European Council in late 2024 for determined action at all levels to facilitate, increase and speed up returns from the European Union ultimately led to the recent publication by the EU Commission of a proposal for a new regulation on returns.”
“As a consequence, hard copies of the draft Council decision itself have been made physically available to the Members of the Houses for the purpose of debating the motion. The Attorney General’s office has confirmed that this method of circulation meets the requirements of Article 29.4.7° of the Constitution. It should be noted that once a readmission agreement has been concluded with Kazakhstan, Ireland’s participation in that agreement will be subject to a separate opt-in process under Protocol 21. At that point, the text of the full agreement will be made available to Members before seeking approval to participate. What we are seeking to do at this moment is simply to participate in the adoption of a negotiating mandate and ensure Ireland has a seat at the table during the negotiation of the agreement itself.”
“Readmission agreements play a valuable role in the fight against irregular migration by facilitating the admission to their own country of persons residing without authorisation in a member state. They facilitate and expedite the enforcement of return decisions in respect of irregular migrants and may also function as an incentive for countries of origin or transit to enhance their migration control. Effective co-operation on return and readmission is a key component of the EU’s comprehensive, tailor-made and mutually beneficial partnerships with third countries. The annexe to the draft Council decision has been deemed restricted by the European Commission. The annexe contains information of a particularly sensitive nature given that it relates to a negotiating mandate with a third country.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan on readmission, a copy of which was circulated to each member of Dáil Éireann on 29th May, 2025. This motion seeks Dáil Éireann’s approval to opt into a European Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a readmission agreement between the European Union and Kazakhstan.”
“Ensuring that the two related concepts work together effectively is the only way to ensure the pact operates as effectively as it should. The readmission agreement should reaffirm that it will be applied in such a way as to respect human rights and obligations and responsibilities of the EU, its member states and Kazakhstan under relevant international instruments applicable to the parties. The agreement will also contain language that ensures the EU and Kazakhstan will devote particular attention to ensuring the protection of rights of persons after their readmission is in compliance with the obligations under those international instruments. Therefore, I hope the House can support the exercise of Ireland’s opt-in in respect of this measure. I thank the Senators for their consideration of this important matter.”
“The aim is simply to give the European Commission a mandate to negotiate with Kazakhstan on readmission. On Senator Stephenson’s belief that the matter would not come back to the Oireachtas, she should note that if an agreement is finalised, Ireland can then seek to opt in to it, and that would come back to the Oireachtas. It is important for Ireland to opt in to this initial decision both to show solidarity with our EU partners and ensure Ireland's interests, including an efficient and streamlined EU return process, are fully reflected in the negotiating mandate. A well-functioning return system fully and seamlessly integrated into the new common European asylum system is essential. We have often heard that return is the missing link in the achievement represented by the agreement to the overall European Union and asylum pact reform.”
“Opting in will clearly demonstrate our support for our EU partners and citizens. Choosing to take part in this decision will also align with Ireland's commitment to opting in, where possible, to EU measures on freedom, security and justice under Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. While the numbers coming to Ireland from Kazakhstan are low, with six applications for international protection in 2022 and five in 2024, opting into the Council decision to open negotiations on a readmission agreement with Kazakhstan is important as it would further demonstrate Ireland's commitment to a common EU-wide solution to migration, which is already evidenced by our opting into the EU asylum pact. It is worth noting that Ireland will not be bound to any agreement resulting from these negotiations.”
“The purpose of the Council’s decision is to open negotiations on readmission with Kazakhstan, having regard to clear and unambiguous legally binding obligations that are necessary for two purposes. The first – this answers some of the points raised by the Senators – is to ensure rapid and effective procedures for the identification and return of persons, including nationals of EU member states and Kazakhstan, third country nationals and stateless persons, who illegally enter or remain on the parties' territories. The second is to facilitate the transit of persons to return to another country in a spirit of co-operation. It is important to note that, by opting in at this stage, Ireland will be able to engage fully in the Council decision and negotiation mandate.”
“In my closing remarks I will highlight what I highlighted in my opening remarks, namely that an essential priority of the Government is ensuring its immigration laws are both robust and enforced. People are entitled to have confidence in our immigration system and there must be consequences for individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so. Returns and readmission are fundamental pillars of a comprehensive and credible EU migration policy, and the European Council has consistently emphasised the need for a unified, comprehensive and effective policy on return and readmission. Readmission agreements play a very important role in the fight against irregular migration.”
“It is important for Ireland to opt in to this initial Council decision so as to ensure our full participation in any negotiating mandate. Opting in would also demonstrate our solidarity with our EU partners and our commitment to EU values, as well as Ireland’s support for the EU’s migration issues.”
“Opting in at this stage, before the decision has been adopted by the European Council, would enable Ireland to opt in under Article 3 of Protocol 21 and take full part in the Council decision and vote on the negotiation mandate. The three-month period for an opt-in under Article 3 of the protocol expires on 17 June. If we were to opt in after the decision has been adopted, under Article 4 of the protocol we would not have a vote on this proposal. I reiterate that this mandate relates simply to the opening of negotiations and does not entail any commitment by Ireland to any agreement that may be reached. Any agreement resulting from these negotiations would need to be subject to a separate opt-in procedure at the time once details are known.”
“The agreement is also expected to contain language which ensures that the EU and Kazakhstan will devote particular attention to ensuring the protection of rights for persons after their readmission in compliance. This proposal has Title 5 legal basis in the areas of freedom, security and justice under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which means that, unlike other EU member states, Ireland is not automatically bound by its measures in this area. Instead, Ireland has a right to decide whether to opt in to such measures under Protocol 21 to the treaty and functioning of the European Union. Opting into this proposal would be consistent with our declared commitment to participate in Title 5 measures wherever possible and a demonstration of our pledge to protect and promote EU values.”
“The EPCA also provides for the possibility of negotiating an agreement on readmission in parallel with an agreement on visa facilitation. Approximately 1,000 Kazakhstan nationals per year received orders to leave the EU between 2019 and 2023, although this number decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Member states have not reported major issues in returning those persons to Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is not currently a major country of transit for irregular migration to the EU. However, this might change in the future, in part due to instability in the region. The readmission agreement is expected to affirm that it will be applied in such a way as to ensure and respect human rights and the obligations and responsibility of the EU, its member states and Kazakhstan under international law.”
“Opting into this Council decision to open negotiations on a readmission agreement with Kazakhstan would clearly demonstrate Ireland's commitment to a common EU-wide solution to migration, a commitment that is already evidenced by our opting into the EU asylum and migration pact. The bilateral relations between the EU and Kazakhstan are framed by the enhanced partnership and co-operation agreement, EPCA, which lays the foundation for enhanced co-operation in key policy areas such as promoting mutual trade and investment, co-operation on justice and home affairs, economic and financial co-operation, energy, transport, environment and climate change, employment and social affairs, culture, education and research.”
“A call by the European Council in late 2024 for determined action at all levels to facilitate, increase and speed up returns from the European Union ultimately led to the recent publication by the European Commission of a proposal for a new regulation on returns. This proposal is part of the broader pact on migration and asylum agreed in 2024, which seeks to create an integrated, sustainable and comprehensive EU migration policy that balances fairness and firmness. Readmission is identified as a key part of the returns process in the Commission's recent proposal for the new returns regulation. Readmission agreements, therefore, are also an important part of the external dimension of migration policy and are closely linked to the objectives of the migration and asylum pact, in particular in strengthening co-operation with third countries.”
“At that point, the text of the full agreement will be made available to Members before seeking approval to participate. What we are seeking to do at this moment is simply participate in the adoption of a negotiating mandate and ensure Ireland has a seat at the table during the negotiation of the agreement itself. Ireland is currently party to 12 EU-level readmission agreements, including with Hong Kong, the Macao Special Administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Albania, Sri Lanka, Russian Federation, Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Georgia. In order for any migration management system to function, it must have an effective and credible policy on return, including readmission.”
“The annexe to the draft Council decision has been deemed restricted by the European Commission. The annexe contains information of a particularly sensitive nature given that it relates to a negotiating mandate with a third country. As a consequence, hard copies of the draft Council decision have been made physically available to the Members of the Houses for the purpose of debating the motion. The Attorney General’s office has confirmed that this method of circulation meets the requirements of Article 29.4.7 of the Constitution. It should be noted that once a readmission agreement has been concluded with Kazakhstan, Ireland’s participation in that agreement will be subject to a separate opt-in process under protocol No. 21.”
“The motion seeks Seanad Eireann’s approval to opt in to a European Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a readmission agreement between the European Union and Kazakhstan. Readmission agreements play a valuable role in the fight against irregular migration by facilitating the admission to their own country of persons residing without authorisation in a member state. They facilitate and expedite the enforcement of return decisions in respect of irregular migrants and may also function as an incentive for countries of origin or transit to enhance their migration control. Effective co-operation on return and readmission is a key component of the EU’s comprehensive, tailor made and mutually beneficial partnerships with third countries.”
“One of the key objectives of the general scheme is to create a public service media that is trusted and transparent. It is intended to copper-fasten and to underpin many of the reforms already under way in RTÉ, which have been led by a new team at board and executive level. The best approach to reforming public service media is in as comprehensive and cohesive a manner as possible. The general scheme achieves that. Therefore, while agreeing with the Deputies' intentions, I am of the view that the Bill should be declined a Second Reading and that we should instead work together to pass comprehensive reforming legislation.”
“More broadly, the general scheme is wider in scope than the Bill, addressing not only corporate governance but also the way in which the independent regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, assesses the performance of the public service media providers and makes funding recommendations to the Government. For example, under the proposed reforms RTÉ and TG4 will no longer set their own performance commitments. Instead they will be identified by Coimisiún na Meán. This is an important measure to promote accountability. The national counter-disinformation strategy published last month clearly sets out the challenges to our democracy posed by disinformation. In light of these challenges, trusted public service media producing independent factual and impartial journalism is more important than ever. As we saw in July 2023, that trust can easily be lost.”
“It is important there is no doubt about the responsibility of the directors general as persons accountable to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts to discuss both the annual financial statements of the public service media providers and, crucially, the value-for-money matters. The second key difference between this proposed Bill and the general scheme is that the latter provides the RTÉ board with the authority to appoint a regulated private sector audit to carry out an annual audit in addition to that of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Given RTÉ's still large percentage of commercial income, this is an important consideration.”
“The general scheme of the broadcasting (amendment) Bill, which was published last month, sets out a range of corporate governance and regulatory reforms, including strengthening the role and the duties of the boards of RTÉ and TG4, and the accountability of both directors general to their boards. With regard to the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General, there are two substantive differences between the general scheme and the Bill before the House. First, the general scheme provides for the express accountability of the director general to the Committee of Public Accounts. We can all attest to the value of the work done by the committee to hold RTÉ to account in the summer of 2023.”
“I thank the Deputies for their contributions. As the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, stated at the beginning of the debate, the assignment of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ has broad support across the House. It is one of the key recommendations of the expert advisory committee on governance and culture in RTÉ chaired by Professor Niamh Brennan. The programme for Government is clear that legislation is required to ensure the corporate governance model in RTÉ is open, transparent and appropriate to its public service mandate. As the Minister outlined, this goes further than the assignment of the Comptroller and Auditor General.”
“I assure the Deputy that the Department of housing will continue to engage with local authorities on any challenges that have emerged, so as to ensure the tenant in situ acquisitions remain an option in 2025 where other solutions cannot be found.”
“The intent is to allow local authorities negotiate the acquisition costs with vendors and landlords and to achieve the best value for money. Each local authority has now received its individual allocation, with a total allocation of €35 million for Cork City Council and Cork County Council for 2025. For acquisitions where there is a tenant in situ, local authorities will assess the options available in each case and decide on the appropriate action. Prioritising vulnerable households for support under the scheme is important, but it does not mean excluding others. It will be a matter for local authorities to respond to local needs.”
“I again thank Deputy O'Sullivan for his contribution. I appreciate the sincerity with which he has raised this issue. We are committed to responding positively to it. My understanding is that Cork City Council's allocation for second-hand acquisitions in 2025 is €20 million. At the end of April, it had drawn down €6.9 million or 34% of its allocation. The Cork County Council allocation for second-hand acquisitions in 2025 is €15 million and at the end of April it had drawn down €0.5 million or 3% of its allocation. The Government decision of 4 March 2025 decided on a total of €325 million for second-hand social housing acquisitions in 2025. The approach to funding allocations was a change from the approach taken in 2023 and 2024, when local authorities were issued with a guide number of acquisitions.”
“In the period 2023 to 2024, more than 3,300 second-hand acquisitions have been completed, of which more than 2,100 have been tenant in situ acquisitions where tenants in receipt of HAP or RAS had received a notice of termination. The tenant in situ acquisitions programme was introduced by way of Government decision in 2023. The programme for Government commits to the continuation of tenant in situ acquisitions as an option for local authorities. Currently, there is a strong pipeline for second-hand social housing acquisitions, with more than 700 acquisitions in the pipeline. We have assured all local authorities of our continued support for their acquisitions activity. To the end of April, local authorities have only drawn down €65 million or 20% of the €325 million which has been allocated for second-hand acquisitions in 2025.”
“The Department asked local authorities, as it did in previous years, to ensure that they are responding to a valid notice of termination where there is a real risk of homelessness and to examine all options for the ongoing accommodation of the household before progressing as a last resort with an acquisition. The Department also asked that local authorities give priority to families with children, older persons or people with a disability who are at serious risk of homelessness. However, prioritising households should not be interpreted as excluding any household and the final decision on each individual acquisition rests, as it should, with the local authority. Since the introduction of the tenant in situ scheme in 2023, a significant number of homes have been acquired.”
“Under the revised arrangements for second-hand acquisitions in 2025 local authorities will receive a capital funding allocation for the acquisition of homes for the following priority categories: the tenant in situ scheme; elderly and disabled persons; exits from homelessness; and buy and renew acquisitions that tackle vacancy. The provision of a capital funding allocation will help to promote best practice in obtaining value for money and provide local authorities with the flexibility to respond to needs and priorities locally within the categories of need being prioritised. Despite coverage to the contrary, the eligibility criteria for the tenant in situ acquisitions in 2025 are not overly restrictive. The guidance is largely the same as what issued in June 2024 and is not substantially different to what was required in 2023.”
“I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for giving me the opportunity to reply to him on this issue. The Government is providing €325 million in 2025 for local authorities to buy second-hand properties, with a particular focus on the tenant in situ scheme, where tenants in receipt of HAP or RAS receive a notice of termination. While the clear focus of the Government must remain on increasing the supply of new-build social and affordable homes, a targeted social housing acquisition programme has been, and will continue to be, an important part of the policy response. The social housing acquisitions circular that issued to local authorities recently sets out the revised arrangements for second-hand social housing acquisitions in 2025.”
“I take the Deputy's remarks on board and will bring the issue to the attention of the Minister. As I outlined in my earlier contribution, a range of projects are being delivered across the school area. The priority is for the Department to ensure that there are places available for every student for the next school year. In the context of that and the points the Deputy has made, I will bring his views back to the Minister and make sure she is aware of them.”
“A future strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities. However, the main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the past decade and for the coming period is on the provision of critical additional capacity to cater for changing demographics and children with special educational needs. The Department manages the overall school building programme, ensuring that areas under the greatest pressure for additional school places are prioritised.”
“m of new and modernised capacity to our school estate. This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities across the country. The programme for Government recognises the importance of strong capital investment in the school building programme and supporting this with enhanced allocations through the NDP process.”
“The Department’s planning and building unit also received an application, in June 2017, from the school seeking capital funding for the provision of a PE hall. The school authority was informed in writing that it was not possible to consider the application at that time. However, approval was given to the school authorities in 2022 to include funding for master-planning the future build of a PE hall in conjunction with the 2019 project. Since 2020, the Department has invested more than €6 billion in schools throughout the country, involving the completion of more than 1,375 school building projects. Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in the coming months, investments by the Department of Education and Youth are adding more than 610,000 sq.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the Department of Education and Youth’s plans for upgrading school buildings, including CBS, New Ross, County Wexford. As the Deputy is aware, he school had an enrolment in 2024 of 413 pupils. This represents an increase of 4% in the past five years. The Department approved significant capital funding for the school under the additional school accommodation scheme in 2019. The approved project was for the provision of four general classrooms, one special education tuition room, one DCG room and one home economics room. This project was devolved to the school authorities for delivery and the project is currently at tender stage.”
“Since 2020, the Department has invested in the region of €5.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of more than 1,350 school building projects. The Department continues to support the delivery of extensive schools infrastructure programme which incorporates best practice. I again thank Deputy Kerrane for raising the question and for giving me the opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, to reassure her that the Department is conscious of the need to continue to support the operation of the school system and intends to provide clarity for individual schools mentioned by the Deputy and its school building project as quickly as possible.”
“I will bring that back to the Minister on the Deputy's behalf. I know there were delays with this relating to a change to increase the number of classrooms, as well as proposals by the local authority to alter the road layout and access. This necessitated a new planning application, as I am sure the Deputy is well aware. The final grant of that planning permission for the project, as currently designed, was received from the local authority in September 2023. Under Project 2040, the Department of Education and Youth is investing well in excess of €5 billion during this period to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities. The Department of Education and Youth has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was again seen in 2023, notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment.”
“The stage 2(b) submission has been received in the Department for review by the multidisciplinary team, and this review is currently under way. On completion of stage 2(b) design, a meeting of all stakeholders will be organised. On completion of the review, the Department will advise the school authorities and their design team of the progression of the project, including comments for the design team's attention regarding the stage 2 (b) submission report.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity, on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, to outline to the Dáil its current position on Scoil Chroí Naofa in Ballinasloe, County Galway. This project is included in the Department of Education and Youth’s construction programme which will be delivered under the national development plan, NDP, as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning — stage 2(b) detailed design - where the design team has secured all statutory applications and is preparing the suite of tender documents. The brief for the project is to provide a new 16-classroom primary school with additional classrooms for pupils with special educational needs.”
“Given the volume of applications on hand, therefore, it is expected it will take a number of years to process all of the remaining categories of application for final decision. I assure Deputy Whitmore the IIP unit in the Department is doing everything possible to progress the applications as quickly as possible.”
“In the event there are serious issues of concern arising about the delivery of a project, necessary action will be taken, which may include reporting the matter to the relevant authorities, pausing the process for further investor applications associated with the project or withdrawing the approval given. Since the closure of the programme, project applications have continued to be submitted to the evaluation committee for consideration. The committee makes its determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment. If deemed suitable, the project application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. At present, there are approximately 100 IIP project proposals and 1,600 investor applications undergoing or awaiting consideration.”
“To continue to answer Deputy Whitmore, I am aware that applicants and projects are anxious to receive a decision on their applications. I assure her that the IIP unit in the Department is committed to ensuring that all applications are examined on their own merits and endeavours to conclude decisions in a timely manner. The IIP unit continues to communicate with projects seeking to benefit from investments made in connection with IIP applications, and more specifically with regard to how the terms of the programme apply to their particular projects, while also monitoring all of the projects for delivery and compliance with the IIP.”
“Further information on this process is included in a detailed frequently asked questions document, which is available on the Department's immigration service website.”
“In recent years, I am aware that concerns have been generally expressed about the immigrant investment programme by the EU Commission, the Council of Europe and the OECD in a number of studies on border security, money laundering, tax evasion and circumvention of EU law, and that such programmes gave rise to issues of a broader public policy concern. While I am satisfied that the IIP was operated to the highest professional standards, the combination of these factors made it timely to close off the programme. The Government agreed to close the IIP to further applications from 15 February 2023. Only the project proposals currently on hand and, by default, the individual investor applications associated with them will be processed to completion. Appropriate arrangements have been put in place for the orderly winding down of the programme.”
“The State has no responsibility for the performance of an investment under the programme. This is a matter for the project owner to ensure delivery of an approved project within the timeframe set out in its business plan. The immigrant investor programme was first introduced by the Irish Government in 2012, when the struggling Irish economy needed investment, to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme fulfilled its purpose, and changed circumstances means that such investment routes are no longer a good fit for Ireland, or the needs of a thriving economy and society.”
“I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this matter today. It is important to note that as Minister of State with responsibility for migration, I do not comment on individual immigrant investor programme applications. In general terms, I can inform Deputy Whitmore that my Department does not receive or hold funds at any stage in the IIP process, nor does it have any role in the administration of an approved project or investment fund. This is a private matter between a potential investor, or investors, and a potential project concerned. Approval of an application under the IIP is not an endorsement of a particular project. What it means is that the investor has been approved and the investment meets the objectives of the IIP. The applicant in the IIP process is the investor and not the project owner.”
“Therefore, approval of the motion by the Seanad today is essential to ensure the level of the monthly contribution under the ARP scheme is set at what is considered to be a more equitable rate and to better serve the public interest.”
“Its future will need to be aligned with efforts to ensure proportionate supports in the wider context of ending the temporary protection directive. I thank those in our communities who have welcomed Ukrainians into their homes and provided them with a safe space, support and stability. I record my appreciation of the work of the Irish Red Cross and its partners in mobilising and retaining pledged accommodation and supporting hosts and beneficiaries through their newsletters, webinars and casework support. I confirm that I am not in a position to accept the amendments to the motion proposed by Sinn Féin. The draft order being considered cannot be made law until a resolution approving the order has been passed by each House.”
“It is clear that the scheme has been responsible for introducing an accommodation stream that would not have been otherwise available and which has been a vital element in the State's response to the Ukraine crisis in providing shelter to families in need. The ARP is acknowledged as an effective instrument of public policy and its extension to next March was recently approved by the Oireachtas. We now need to fine-tune the scheme in a balanced way to respond to the concerns raised. I hope Members will support this motion. As the Minister, Deputy Foley, confirmed when consideration was being given to extending the scheme, its operation will be the subject of monitoring across relevant Departments.”