Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade how the people of Clare will benefit from his Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45774/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The mission of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to serve Ireland, promote Ireland's values and advance Ireland's prosperity and interests abroad, as well as to provide the government with the capabilities, analysis and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement.

Officials of my Department work with all State Agencies to promote Ireland across the globe, and they do so on the basis of promoting all regions in all sectors including, for example, in tourism, trade and investment. Additionally, my officials oversee the Passport Service and provide consular assistance to Irish citizens overseas and to their families in Ireland during what may often be very distressing episodes. Given the nature of the Department's work and how it broadly benefits the people of Ireland both at home and abroad, it is not possible to determine the benefit that might accrue to a specific region or sector of the population.

I will take this opportunity to reassure the Deputy that the people of Clare, alongside the wider population of Ireland, will as in previous years, benefit from my Department's Budget 2024 allocation.