Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated relocation costs of the Irish Consulate General office in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36558/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Consulate General of Ireland, along with our Team Ireland partners, has been based in Ireland House at 345 Park Avenue, New York for more than 30 years. The lease is due to expire at the end of 2024.

After a property search, a lease for a new Ireland House was signed for the 17th floor of the MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue. A 24 year lease has been agreed which will give Team Ireland a long term base in the business centre of Manhattan.

Following a tender competition, a design team and general fit out contractor were engaged to deliver a quality fit out that promotes the best of Irish creativity, innovation, design and culture, which will provide this new base for Team Ireland in New York.

The Consulate General, together with our Team Ireland partners in New York moved into these new premises on September 9, 2024.

The budget for the relocation costs of the Consulate General, including design and fit out, is €3.5 million. As this is an Ireland House our Team Ireland Partners - Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Tourism Ireland, CIÉ Tours International and the Ireland Funds – share the overall project budget of €11.9 million.

While the project is in the final stages of delivery and final costs are not yet available, it is expected to be delivered within this budget.