33. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her proposals to expand the Irish diplomatic footprint in areas with a growing diaspora community. [50267/26]

The Government is committed to deepening our engagement with the diaspora. Last year, my Department allocated grants totalling almost €16.5 million under the Emigrant Support Programme to diaspora projects worldwide and in April of this year we launched a new National Diaspora Strategy.

Ireland's mission network plays a key role in the Government's engagement with the diaspora. Identifying where there is scope to build stronger links with our growing diaspora is an important consideration when deciding where we open new diplomatic missions.

Since 2018, under Global Ireland 2025, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with twenty-seven new diplomatic missions opened. In addition to the new diplomatic missions there has been significant expansion of diplomatic resources in key locations such as Washington D.C., Brussels and London.

In March, the new consulate general in Melbourne opened to serve the growing Irish community in Victoria, deepen bilateral political and economic ties, and support Irish businesses in a thriving economic hub.

The final diplomatic mission to open under Global Ireland 2025 is the consulate general in Málaga. The consul general has taken up duty and the mission is set to begin providing consular services in the coming months. The mission in Málaga will be a significant addition to our diplomatic network in addressing the needs of our citizens, both visiting and resident in southern Spain.

My colleague, Minister of State Richmond launched our third diaspora strategy in April this year. In the development of the new strategy, he met with representatives of Irish communities and organisations around the world to learn about the challenges and opportunities that exist for the Irish abroad. The new Diaspora Strategy will inform the development of the forthcoming Global Ireland 2040 strategy and the whole-of-government regional strategies committed to in the Programme for Government.

Decisions on new mission locations will be taken within the framework of Global Ireland 2040, the successor strategy to Global Ireland 2025.