Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding allocated to the delivery of the doubling the global footprint initiative in each of the years 2019 to 2023; the estimated cost of delivering the initiative; and the expected timeframe for completion of the initiative. [12378/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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€2 million was allocated in Budget 2018 to cover initial expenditure by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the Doubling of the Global Footprint Initiative. Work has begun on the initial phase of the expansion of Ireland’s Diplomatic Network which includes the Government decision to open new Embassies in Santiago, Chile; Bogotá, Colombia; Amman, Jordan; and Wellington, New Zealand; and new Consulates General in Vancouver, Canada and Mumbai, India.

Specific future allocations to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Government’s Global Footprint Initiative have not yet been decided.

The Department’s strategic capital investment priorities under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 are expected to include further announcements as part of the Doubling Our Global Footprint Initiative and investment in the State’s Global Property Portfolio, including the development of Ireland Houses with the State Agencies and the relevant Embassies in strategic locations.

Decisions on future allocations will be consistent with value for money principles, will provide clear benefits for the State, and will depend on a range of factors, including staff, office and accommodation needs.