More than 1,400 international millionaires have bought Irish residency over the past ten years.

The Irish government's Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) grants residency to the super-wealthy in exchange for different types of investment in the State.

Since it was set up in 2012, 1,431 applications for residency have been granted to millionaires from across the world.

To apply, candidates must have a net worth of more than €2 million and so far more than €1 billion has been invested in Ireland through the scheme.

Almost 94% of those granted Irish residency have been Chinese nationals.

Investments in the State

There are four ways international millionaires can invest.

They can put a minimum of €1 million in an Irish enterprise or an approved investment fund for a period of at least three years.

They can invest at least €2 million in an Irish Real Estate Investment Trust that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, again for a period of at least three years.

Alternatively, they can make a philanthropic donation of at least  €500,000 to a project which is "of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education".

International

While most applicants have been Chinese nationals, requests have also been granted to 25 Americans.

Nine people from Vietnam, five Saudis and four South Africans have been approved.

Russians only accounted for three applications, all of which were denied.

The programme has been closed to Russian citizens since March of this year.

The Department of Justice doesn't publish the details of individual IIP investments approved.