Authorisation Process for AIFMs

All applicants seeking to provide services to collective investment schemes are requested to contact the Central Bank of Ireland in advance of making a formal application. 

It is normal practice for the Central Bank to engage with new applicants to discuss their proposed business prior to beginning the authorisation process.  

This serves a dual purpose by enabling the Central Bank to familiarise itself with the background and business credentials of the applicant whilst identifying, at a critical early stage, any potential issues with the proposed business.  

Each applicant should bear in mind the nature of its proposed business and structure in preparing an application for submission. 

The Central Bank will advise the applicant of any additional information or clarification required, having reviewed the documentation submitted, by issuing detailed written comments to the applicant or its legal representative, as appropriate.  

Submissions should be made on ORION.

An effective and expeditious authorisation process depends on the timeliness and quality of responses received to the Central Bank’s comments.

Where completing an IQ, applicants are directed to the Fitness & Probity Requirements.  Applications that do not contain the key authorisation documents listed above will be regarded as incomplete and will be returned to the applicant.

Authorised AIFMs

Applicants seeking authorisation as an AIFM pursuant to the AIFM Regulations 2013, (“the Regulations”) must submit:

• Authorised AIFM Programme of Activity - Checklist
• A completed Individual Questionnaire (“IQ”) in respect of each director and senior manager, where relevant.
• A detailed programme of activity which takes account of the requirements of the Guidance and Fund Management Companies Guidance

Registered AIFMs 

Applicants seeking registration as an AIFM pursuant to the AIFM Regulations must submit:

• A completed Registered AIFM - Checklist
• All supplementary documentation as required by the application form, including an extract of the AIF offering document and a monitoring and reporting procedure document.

EuVECA and EuSEF Managers

Applicants seeking registration as a fund manager pursuant to the Regulation No. 345/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European Venture Capital Funds or pursuant to Regulation No. 346/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European Social Entrepreneurship Funds must submit:

• A completed application form for registered AIFMs seeking to be designated as Managers of EuVECA Funds or registered AIFMs seeking to be designated as Managers of EuSEF Funds
• A completed Individual Questionnaire (“IQ”) in respect of each director and senior manager, where relevant.
• All supplementary documentation as required by the application form.