Providing consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad is a cornerstone of the work of my department. Ensuring our citizens receive timely and empathetic support from our Embassies and Consulates worldwide is a priority for me in my role as Minister. As the Deputy notes, demand for consular assistance has grown steadily in recent years, with almost 2,000 new cases recorded by our teams in 2025.
Staff in our Embassies and Consulates around the world, alongside the team based in the Department's headquarters in Dublin, provide round-the-clock assistance to our citizens. This year we are adding two new Consulates in Malaga and Melbourne to our Mission network, in order to strengthen our consular capacity and ensure our services are aligned to the locations where Irish citizens are travelling and living.
We will also grow our Honorary Consul network in 2026. As of today, we have 91 Honorary Consuls in 53 countries around the world, who provide vital consular assistance and services to Irish citizens, particularly in areas where there is no resident mission.
In recognition of the changing caseload, in 2025 targeted Mental Health First aid training was also rolled out to staff working on consular services. The aim of the training was to empower and equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support somebody experiencing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Further training in that area is planned for 2026.
As part of Ireland’s Consular Strategy, published in 2023, the Department has committed to strengthening how we work, including by investing in the technology and systems that facilitate consular assistance. This will ensure our services remain responsive to changing and increasing demand, including in complex crisis situations.
