Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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210. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of foresight or future planning that operates within his Department; who is responsible for long-term planning; the input these individuals or teams have into Departmental policy and practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61662/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s approach to future planning is informed by the Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland’s Future - and the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2025 – 2028.

The Statement of Strategy reflects key Government priorities, as set out in the Programme for Government, and how the Department will work to achieve them to deliver meaningful outcomes for Irish citizens, at home and abroad. The Strategy Statement is part of the Department’s process of strategic planning and management, which ensures alignment between the resource allocations as provided for in the Estimates, annual business plans at divisional and business unit level, and individual and team annual objectives derived through the Performance Management and Development System.

Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025 is a multi-annual, whole-of-government strategy led by the Department of the Taoiseach under which my Department has a central role in working towards doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global engagement. Global Ireland 2025 was considered in the development of the Department’s Statement of Strategy and a number of regional and thematic strategies developed by my Department under Global Ireland continue to inform our approach. Global Ireland 2040, the successor strategy, is at the planning stage and my Department will actively contribute to its development and implementation over the next 15 years.

The management of risk is also a key component of future planning. The Department has a comprehensive Risk Management Policy, with the oversight of a Risk Management Committee, led by the Chief Risk Officer (a member of the Management Board) and reporting regularly to the Management Board.

Upcoming large-scale projects are planned and delivered under a project management approach with oversight by the Department’s Project Oversight Board, on which all Management Board members sit.

In other instances, dedicated units or teams may be temporarily established to plan over several years for upcoming significant projects, for example Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. A number of internal and external strategies and action plans support Departmental policy and practice and are usually delivered over a three to five year period, with regular updates provided to the Management Board, and to Government as appropriate.

In addition, individual policy and operational units undertake longer term planning, including horizon scanning with insights from the mission network, to ensure we are ready as a Department to respond appropriately to global trends and developments across a range of policy areas. Longer term planning is also taken forward in relation to staffing, skills development, and the adoption of new technology, to ensure we can continue to deliver as a Department and provide services and supports to meet the needs of citizens into the future.

Responsibility for strategic management and planning, and the oversight of risk, lies with the Management Board of my Department, led by the Secretary General. Officials across the Department are involved in the development of strategies and action plans across a range of issues in support of delivery under the Statement of Strategy and Programme for Government.