Ireland to review retiree policy

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.

 

By Ray O’Hanlon

The loud knocking on Ireland’s door would appear to be having some effect.

The Irish government has announced proposed changes to its policy regarding retirees from outside the European Economic Area putting down new roots in the old sod.

In the main, that would mean Irish Americans.

The issue has risen to prominence in recent months with two online petitions launched in the U.S. urging changes in Irish regulations governing retirement in the country by people who do not have access to Irish citizenship because their connections to the country are too far back in the past.

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As a result, the more decisive factor is financial with retirees having to show a specified annual income and the ability to purchase property in Ireland at a minimum defined price.

The financial hurdles have already resulted in a much publicized forced departure from Ireland of one American retiree who had settled in Kenmare, County Kerry.

Jane Fadely had even written a book about living in Ireland but, it wasn’t enough to get her over the required income threshold.

She is now back in the United States.

Fadely’s case highlighted the issue, but behind it was a growing number of people in the U.S. yet to make the transatlantic crossing but who were coming up against the make or break obstacle of the current income stipulations.

This resulted in the online petitions, and media reports on what the petitioners were seeking.

One of the petitions was initiated by New Yorker Kevin Callaghan who is hoping to retire to West Cork.

This week, the Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, launched what a release described as a “public consultation on a review of Ireland’s immigration policy for non-EEA retirees who wish to retire in Ireland.”

“I recognize that many non-EEA nationals who seek to retire in Ireland may wish to do so on foot of a special connection with or affinity for this country,” said Fitzgerald.

“At the same time, we must ensure that the wider public interests are protected. I encourage all those with an interest in this matter to contribute to this consultation.”

Fitzgerald’s department release stated that an internal review “of the existing guidance” had been conducted by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

Some of the key changes proposed include: A proposal to reduce the net annual income requirement for applicants from €50,000 per applicant to €40,000 per applicant, or €60,000 in the case of a couple applying as joint applicants;

A proposal to introduce mandatory pre-clearance for applicants rather than allowing applications from within the country as is presently the case.

And a proposal to limit the scheme to non-EEA retirees to Ireland who can demonstrate a close connection to Ireland.

The departmental release stated that the consultation would seek the views of “interested stakeholders” on the outcome of the internal review.

The review document, which also contains details of how to make a submission, can be downloaded at the following link: Public Consultation Sept 2016 - Non-EEA Retirees.

The closing date for submissions is Monday, October 31.

 

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