Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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94. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update in relation to the ‘Ireland House’ model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38307/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Ireland House model involves the co-location of diplomatic missions and State Agencies in one premises in key markets overseas, working together to maximise the collective impact of Team Ireland.

There are currently twenty Ireland Houses worldwide: Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, Beijing, Budapest, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mumbai, New York, Prague, Riyadh, San Francisco, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo and Warsaw. These include integrated diplomatic and State Agency operations in one premises, as well as other arrangements such as separate offices within the same building or desks for locally engaged State Agency staff within a diplomatic mission.

The Global Ireland Strategy outlines the Government’s commitment to developing and expanding the Ireland House model, including a uniform and coherent brand for Ireland abroad, building on the Team Ireland concept of shared services and facilities, and collaborative working practices.

The Ireland House model contributes to a joined-­up Team Ireland approach to Ireland’s international engagement and to raising our profile by showcasing our cultural heritage, creativity and innovation through excellence in design.

Four new Ireland Houses were recently completed: in Shanghai in December 2023; Singapore and Stockholm in June 2024, and New York earlier this month. Two new Ireland House projects in Tokyo and Chicago are under construction, with expected completion in early 2025. Planning is also underway in relation to four potential new Ireland Houses in London, Toronto, Milan and Madrid, with expected delivery before the end of 2026.

This will bring the total number of Ireland Houses to twenty-four by the end of 2026.