Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her proposals to expand the Irish diplomatic footprint in areas with a growing diaspora community. [66746/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government remains committed to deepening our engagement with the diaspora. In 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will allocate grants of almost €16.5 million under the Emigrant Support to diaspora projects.

Work is already underway on the development of a new diaspora strategy. As part of this, my colleague Minister of State Richmond has met with representatives of Irish communities and organisations in Britain, Europe, the US, Canada, the Middle East and beyond to learn about the challenges and opportunities that exist for the Irish abroad. The Minister also hosted consultations in Dublin and Galway and a valuable discussion with Oireachtas members in July.

Ireland's Embassy and Consulate network plays a key role in our diaspora engagement. Identifying where there is scope to build stronger links with our growing diaspora is an important consideration when deciding where we open new diplomatic missions. These decisions are also based on a robust analysis of how they will contribute to the promotion of our economic interests and our values in this changing and uncertain international landscape and promote our culture.

Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly under Global Ireland 2025 with twenty-five new missions open already since the strategy was launched in 2018 and a further two Consulates General to open early next year in Málaga and Melbourne.

Work will begin shortly on the new Global Ireland 2040 strategy, which is due to be published next year. The new strategy will focus on enhancing Ireland's international influence and further strengthening Ireland's place in the world.

Decisions on new missions will be taken in the framework of the new Global Ireland 2040 strategy.