Written Answers Nos. 1-4
1. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of all special advisors that are, or were, attached to him, to include Ministers of State special advisors, by grade, duration of role held and point on the pay scale.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38519/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointments of special advisers is made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and is subject to Government approval. Following Government approval, the relevant contracts are laid before the House of the Oireachtas.
|
Name |
Role |
Scale |
Term of employment |
|
Sarah Bardon |
Chief of Staff (Taoiseach) |
Assistant Secretary |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Joanne Lonergan |
Chief of Staff (Taoiseach) |
Assistant Secretary |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Ciara Phelan |
Special Adviser (Taoiseach) |
Principal Officer |
11.04.2024 - date |
|
Majella Fitzpatrick |
Special Adviser (Taoiseach) |
Principal Officer |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Matthew Lynch |
Special Adviser (Taoiseach) |
Principal Officer |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Clare Mungovan |
Special Adviser (Taoiseach) |
Principal Officer |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Jack O'Donnell |
Special Adviser (Taoiseach) |
Principal Officer |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Max Murphy |
Special Adviser (Taoiseach) |
Principal Officer |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Stephen Kinsella |
Special Adviser (Taoiseach) |
Assistant Secretary equivalent (seconded) |
15.07.2024 - date |
|
Denise Duffy |
Special Adviser (Minister of State Naughton) |
Principal Officer |
09.04.2024 - date |
|
Paul Melia |
Special Adviser (Minister of State Naughton) |
Principal Officer |
09.04.2024 - date |
2. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy under his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38305/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra3. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach to outline, since the Global Ireland 2025 programme will be finishing within a few months, the measures his Department is taking to draft a new strategic plan for his Department between now and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38306/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Global Ireland Strategy 2025 is a whole-of-Government strategy that aims to expand Ireland’s global footprint and influence in the period 2018 to 2025. In July 2023, the Government published a Review of the strategy. The Review found that implementation of the Global Ireland 2025 strategy has brought significant benefits to Ireland, including by positioning Ireland make effective contributions on issues of national and global concern, and supporting a diversification in markets and international alliances. The Review also identified areas for greater focus and action in the period ahead.
In terms of diplomatic reach, during the period 2018 to 2025, 27 missions have been opened or announced for opening, comprising 14 embassies and 13 consulates general. This has exceeded the original target of at least 26 as outlined in the 2018 Global Ireland strategy document.
There are currently over 20 Ireland Houses in place, with plans underway to expand the model to additional locations. The benefits of the Ireland House model can be significant in terms of economies in sharing premises, but also in terms of greater collaboration and coherence among our diplomatic representations and our State Agencies, and being a physical reflection of Team Ireland abroad.
Other achievements of the Strategy include the appointment of new cultural officers abroad; the launch in May 2021, of A Career for EU Strategy; the EU50 Programme (2022-2023); and Ireland’s successful term on the UN Security Council in 2021-2022.
Regarding State Agencies, the Strategy has also led to Enterprise Ireland expanding its global presence through the opening of eight new offices internationally. Through the Global Ireland initiative, Enterprise Ireland client exports reached a record €34.57bn in 2023, a new record for Irish exporters, supported by the Agency. IDA Ireland has also, during the period of the Strategy, exceeded on targets relating to the total number of investments, job approvals, regional investment, and number of sustainability projects supported by the Agency.
The Trade and Investment Strategy – Value for Ireland, Values for the World – works in alignment with the Global Ireland Strategy, and the Government takes a collaborative approach to progress implementation on the two Strategies by the organisation of trade missions and the establishment of Local Market Teams. The Team Ireland Trade Mission Week supports the Government’s development and expansion of Ireland’s exports, tourism, and inward investment from existing and new markets. The then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, led the first of these trade weeks to Korea in October 2023 [and I look forward to leading the next Team Ireland Trade Mission Week to Poland later this month].
Global Ireland regional strategies for engaging with Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Nordic region, Latin America and the Caribbean and the US/Canada have been launched and are being actively implemented, building relationships with important partners, winning jobs and investment for Ireland in key markets, promoting Ireland’s values and culture and strengthening connections to our diaspora.
In the remaining time to 2025, focus will be both on implementation of the current Strategy and on identifying areas for further work in the period ahead.
4. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he, his special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39141/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease refer to the following table:
|
Company Name |
Subject matter |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Q4 Public Relations Ltd |
Support and advice in the development of effective public communication and engagement strategies [May - December 2023] |
NIL |
€7,488 |
€11,277 |
|
Zero G Ltd |
Strategic design services for the communication of major cross-Government programmes |
NIL |
€42,804 |
€18,265 |
|
Q4 Public Relations Ltd |
Media liaison and communication services for Citizens' Assemblies* |
€43,753 |
€95,765 |
€8,971 |
*While funded from the Department of Taoiseach’s Vote, Citizens’ Assemblies operate independently.
