I welcome the Minister of State. The immigrant investment programme, IIP, was launched in 2012. This programme benefited organisations and communities across the country to the tune of €1.25 billion following its introduction. It was closed in 2023. I understand that there are a range of issues pertaining to the closure and winding down of the scheme. We have seen a real impact on investment in County Mayo in particular. Westport United received €2.8 million in 2023.

As the Minister of State will be well aware, Islandeady GAA received €3.6 million, while Knockmore GAA received €2 million. These are substantial investments in sporting organisations, at a level and scale that no other State agency or body can match. It is really transformative for sports organisations and clubs.

I understand that there have been issues in terms of certain loopholes that may have been exploited. It is fair to highlight that, but what I am calling for is the reintroduction of the scheme in a way that benefits sports clubs and organisations and would not expose Ireland or allow loopholes for bad-faith actors. If we are smart in our policymaking and legislation, we can achieve that, but it requires political will to make it happen.

I thank Senator Mark Duffy for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan.

As the Senator stated, the immigrant investor fund was introduced by the Government in 2012, when the struggling Irish economy needed investment to create business and employment opportunities across the State. During its operation, it generated over €1.2 billion in investment for projects right across the country.

The programme fulfilled its purpose and, as the Senator will be aware, the Government agreed to close the IIP to further applications on 15 February 2023. The decision to close the programme followed a comprehensive review and reflected wider policy considerations, including recommendations at European level regarding investor residence schemes. Appropriate arrangements in relation to the orderly winding down of the programme were also put in place.

The closing of the IIP did not affect already approved applicants and projects under the programme. The programme is fundamentally one for investors, not for projects or funders. The investor is the primary applicant and makes an application for an immigration permission, and nominates a proposed project as part of that application.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has continued to process applications for immigration permissions in respect of approved investments, that is, investments applied for prior to the closure of the programme that have been approved by the IIP evaluation committee. The IIP unit within the Department is committed to ensuring that all current applications will be examined on their merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner.

The IIP unit also communicates with projects seeking to benefit from investments made in connection with an IIP application, more specifically in relation to how the terms of the programme apply to a particular project. The unit also engages with projects and monitors them for compliance with IIP requirements.

The Government remains committed to attracting foreign direct investment and supporting economic development right across the country. Ireland's approach, however, is focused on sustainable investment, job creation and enterprise development through a range of established channels, including the work of agencies such as IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

At present, there are no plans to reintroduce the IIP or to establish a scheme to replace it. That said, the Government continually reviews how best to support investment, innovation and economic growth. As part of that ongoing work, we remain open to examining measures that can encourage investment in Ireland while also ensuring that our immigration system retains its integrity.

I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I am aware that he is here on behalf of the Minister for justice today, but the reply is disappointing, specifically because there is nothing comparable in terms of funding for sporting organisations, clubs or community groups at present. It is not as if the Irish State can match the programme or put something else in its place.

We had the begging bowl out and had the programme as an incentive for people to invest and engage in Ireland when we were under economic and financial pressure. The minute there was any improvement in that, the programme was wound up. The point I have made is that there are ways and means of doing this in a way that is constructive, protects our values and means no exploitation of loopholes or bad-faith actors. A blanket decision to keep the programme closed is not wise, considering the impact it has made. The projects are transformative, once-in-a-generation projects for clubs and organisations across the country, with programme funding provided at a scale that the State is not willing even to entertain.

I ask the Minister of State, using whatever influence he may have, to relay my point to the Minister for justice and the Government more broadly. This would be much appreciated. All of us, including the Minister of State, can see the direct impact of investment under the programme in clubs and communities across Ireland.

Again, I thank Senator Duffy for raising this important issue and acknowledge his contribution in seeking investment into Mayo.

The IIP, as outlined, was successful in its time. When the Irish economy had hit rock bottom, it generated significant investment when most needed, to the tune of over €1.2 billion. However, it has fulfilled its purpose, notwithstanding the recent announcements on Knockmore GAA, Westport United and, more locally to me, the Islandeady community development committee, which received €3.6 million. That is reflective of the amount of work they have put in.

The Minister for justice has outlined that there are no plans to reintroduce the scheme or replace it. Thankfully, the Minister for sport, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, will soon launch the sports capital programme. A sum to the tune of over €250 million was allocated in the last round. We would hope a lot of that will be directed into sports facilities. The large-scale and regional sports programmes are very important. Our focus now is on ensuring sustainable investment in every parish, community, town and village right across the country. This can support communities and enterprise, create jobs and ensure our long-term economic growth.