Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
224. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will seek an increase in funding for the centrally funded scheme for seconded national experts for the post-EU Presidency period to capitalise on Irelands increased visibility and personnel networks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29613/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update in relation to the EU Careers Strategy; its achievements to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29615/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.
A Career for EU, launched in 2021, is Ireland's strategy to increase our representation in the EU Institutions and Agencies. It responds to the projected shortfall of Irish staff arising from high levels of retirement among senior and long-serving Irish officials, combined with insufficient recruitment at entry and mid-management grades. The strategy has three focus areas: promoting EU careers in Ireland, particularly within the education system; providing training and supports for Irish candidates; and advocating for reform of the EU's recruitment process. Implementation is led by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD.
Outreach and awareness-raising have expanded significantly, with third-level careers events alone estimated to have reached approximately 30,000 students in 2025. Hundreds of Irish candidates received targeted training supports across multiple competitions, including EU-specific practice materials and interview preparation. Ireland also continues to work with like-minded Member States on structural reforms, including supporting the European Parliament's defence of nationality-based competitions before the Court of Justice of the EU.
The strategy is delivering results. Ireland had 43 permanent officials at the key entry grades in the European Commission in December 2025, up from 30 in 2022. A total of 1,733 Irish people applied to the AD5 competition — the first large-scale competition since 2019 — placing Ireland 10th of 27 Member States on a per capita basis. In January 2026, Dr Lorraine Nolan took up office as Executive Director of the European Union Drugs Agency, the third Irish national currently heading an EU Agency.
Funding for the Centrally Funded Scheme for Seconded National Experts has risen from €2 million in 2021 to €4.2 million in 2026, supporting an increase from 24 SNEs to 53 over the course of 2025 — giving Ireland the highest number of SNEs per capita in the European Commission among all Member States.
