Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline any steps or initiatives being put in place by his Department to encourage Irish people to take up employment opportunities in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57157/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy’s question to relate to employment opportunities in the EU institutions and agencies, which is an area of strategic importance for the Government.

The Government recognises the importance of the having Irish people working for the EU institutions and agencies, both as a benefit for Ireland and also so that the EU continues to gain from the expertise and creativity of talented and committed Irish people.

In May 2021, the Government launched “A Career for EU” a strategy to increase the number of Irish nationals working in the EU institutions. This strategy, led by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, TD, focuses on three principal areas. First, promoting EU careers through an expanded public communications campaign, maintaining a dedicated careers website, and conducting extensive outreach at second and third-level institutions, throughout the island of Ireland, giving informational talks to professional bodies, as well as hosting networking events in Brussels and Luxembourg where many Irish EU trainees and contract agents are based. Second, providing free targeted training and support for Irish candidates, including tailored materials for competition preparation, one-to-one coaching, and assessment practice, including in Irish and a candidate’s second language. Third advocating for reforms to the EU recruitment processes, such as nationality-based competitions, to improve outcomes for Irish candidates.

Key initiatives include a Centrally Funded Scheme for Seconded National Experts, with an annual budget of €4 million to support Irish civil and public servants in EU placements. The Department has also provided dedicated support for candidates applying leadership positions within the Institutions.

The Government remains committed to ensuring Irish people continue to play a central role in shaping European policy and Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 will provide government with an opportunity to promote this strategy further.