Wednesday, 26 Jun 2024

Written Answers Nos. 1-5

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Freedom of Information

Ceisteanna (4)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

4. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of contracted staff, full-time and part-time, employed by his Department, and by any body or entity under the aegis of the Department, who are specifically assigned to processing freedom of information requests (details supplied), in each of the past three years; the Civil Service grade of each; and the number of freedom of information requests dealt with by his Department, or any body or entity under its aegis, in each of the past three years. [27471/24]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The details sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of FOI requests received in the past three years by my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), which is the only body under the aegis of my Department, are set out in the table beneath.

Year	Number of FOIs received by Department of the Taoiseach	Number of FOIs received by NESDO
2021	389	3
2022	325	0
2023	342	0

The FOI Unit in my Department is staffed by an Executive Officer who works on a half-time basis and an Assistant Principal Officer who also has other duties. The Unit is responsible for co-ordinating the management of FOI requests received, acknowledging their receipt and providing an advisory function to decision makers to whom requests are assigned in relevant line sections where the records sought are most likely to be located. Details of the numbers of designated decision makers by grade are set out in the table beneath.

Grade	Number Currently Serving
Assistant Principal Officer	44
Administrative Officer	24
Higher Executive Officer	36

NESDO does not have a dedicated FOI office as it does not receive many FOI requests. When a FOI request is received by NESDO an official on the Assistant Principal Officer scale who has other duties co-ordinates their management within the Office.

Diplomatic Representation

Ceisteanna (5)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

5. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to deepen Ireland’s diplomatic presence in Australia and New Zealand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27475/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland opened an Embassy in Wellington in 2018, under the Global Ireland Strategy. This ensured Ireland has a strong diplomatic presence in both Australia and New Zealand, with resident Embassies in Canberra and Wellington, plus a Consulate General in Sydney.

These missions contribute to the deepening of bilateral relations, and serve vibrant Irish communities in each country. Furthermore, Ireland has Honorary Consuls in place in Perth, Australia and in Auckland, New Zealand who provide dedicated consular support to Irish citizens in those regions.

In March of this year, the Government approved plans to open a Consulate General in Melbourne. This new mission will enable the Government to deepen Ireland's engagement further, by building further political links, supporting Irish business and engaging with Irish citizens locally. The decision to open this Consulate General underlines the importance which this Government attaches to strengthening our relationship with Australia as a whole.

The Government continues to keep the resourcing of Ireland's mission network under review.

• Ceisteanna - Questions
• Written Answers Nos. 6-25