Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to appoint a cultural officer to the Irish Embassy in Australia. [43966/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The appointment of specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide was identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. This new strategic capability is being delivered in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

An initial three positions in Berlin, New York and London have been filled this year. Four other priority locations for the appointment of Cultural Officers were specified in Global Ireland 2025 - Beijing, Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo - with the possibility of additional locations in the lifetime of the Strategy. The timing for recruitment to these posts is in each case subject to resources and to conditions and requirements in the relevant location.

While there are no specific plans at present to appoint a Cultural Officer in Australia, our Missions in Canberra and Sydney are very active in the field of cultural promotion, exchange and collaboration.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the embassies that have a cultural officer in tabular form. [43967/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Global Ireland 2025 Strategy identified the appointment of specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide as a key strategic action to strengthen our global cultural impact. This programme is being delivered in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

To date, Cultural Officers have been appointed to the following three Missions: