218. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance for an update on the development of the next Ireland for Finance Strategy; the timeline for its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39632/26]

The Ireland for Finance strategy is a whole-of-Government strategy for the development of the international financial services sector in Ireland. The strategy was originally published in 2019, with the Update to Ireland for Finance being published in October 2022.

The vision set out in the strategy was to grow and expand Ireland’s position as a global financial services hub. The sector now has approximately 63,000 employed, a growth of 80% since 2015.

In line with Programme for Government commitments, the Department of Finance is preparing a new Ireland for Finance Strategy for the period 2026-2030.

The public consultation period for the new Ireland for Finance strategy concluded in September with 57 submissions received. This has been supplemented by significant input from a wide range of bilateral, national and international stakeholder engagements, including the standing quarterly Ireland for Finance Joint Committee forum.

Analysis of the submissions, stakeholder engagement and wider research is informing the development of a new strategy. The strategy will introduce targeted policy measures which will look to build on our position as a leading global financial centre. While the new Ireland for Finance strategy is still under development, ambitions of the strategy will be for Ireland to:

• Remain a competitive and trusted global international financial services centre;

• Have capacity to scale and attract expertise to enable economic growth in EU;

• Leverage technological capability to support digital transformation; and

• Develop and deepen links with domestic businesses and citizens.

Officials are now in the process of finalising the new Ireland for Finance strategy. Once approved by Government, I anticipate publication of the strategy at some point over the summer.