Saturday, 13 September 2025
Ireland for Finance Strategy 2026–2030: Public Consultation Now Open The Government of Ireland has launched a public consultation to inform the development of the Ireland for Finance Strategy 2026–2030, the next iteration of its national strategy for international financial services (IFS). This consultation invites stakeholders from across the sector and the public to contribute views […]
The Government of Ireland has launched a public consultation to inform the development of the Ireland for Finance Strategy 2026–2030, the next iteration of its national strategy for international financial services (IFS). This consultation invites stakeholders from across the sector and the public to contribute views on how Ireland can strengthen its global standing in international finance over the next five years.
The Ireland for Finance strategy, first introduced in 2019, is a whole-of-government approach to developing Ireland’s international financial services sector. Its implementation is driven by strong collaboration between the public and private sectors and overseen by the Minister of State for Financial Services.
Since its launch, the strategy has led to several significant achievements:
Over 13,000 new jobs created between 2019 and 2024, bringing total employment in the sector to more than 60,000.
Nearly 50% of all funds sector jobs are now located outside Dublin, strengthening regional economic growth.
Dublin’s ranking in the Global Financial Centres Index has improved from 30th in 2020 to 14th in 2024, and it is now the third leading centre in Western Europe.
The Central Bank of Ireland’s Innovation Sandbox Programme has been established to support early-stage innovation.
The Institute of Bankers’ Financial Services Skills Framework was launched.
The Women in Finance Charter now includes 104 signatory firms, promoting gender diversity across the sector.
The Ireland for Finance Strategy focuses on five themes:
The current strategy expires in 2026. As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Department of Finance is now preparing a new strategy for 2026–2030. The consultation aims to identify opportunities and challenges to ensure that Ireland remains a globally competitive, innovative, and sustainable hub for international financial services.
The consultation invites feedback on:
Areas of opportunity and innovation, such as sustainable finance, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
Barriers to growth or competitiveness that the strategy should address.
How Ireland can reinforce its regional strengths and ensure balanced growth across the country.
How to further enhance public-private collaboration, skills development, and gender equity.
Stakeholders are encouraged to provide evidence-based recommendations to shape a strategy that is agile, targeted, and aligned with long-term global trends and regulatory shifts.
The public consultation runs until 19 September 2025. Following this, Department of Finance officials will prepare a draft strategy report for submission to the Minister of State in early 2026. The final strategy is expected to be brought to Government and published by mid-2026.
Submissions can be emailed to: iffconsultation@finance.gov.ie
The consultation paper is available at:
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Ireland_for_Finance_Strategy_2026-2030_-_Consultation_Paper_002.pdf
Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, stated:
‘The launch of the public consultation is an important milestone in the development of the new Ireland for Finance strategy for 2026–2030; a Programme for Government commitment. The Ireland for Finance strategy has been key to the significant growth we have experienced in our international financial services sector. The sector is a significant contributor to our economy, now directly employing over 60,000 people, with a quarter of these jobs outside Dublin.’
Minister of State Robert Troy added:
‘The new Ireland for Finance strategy will guide us to the end of the decade and beyond. It will seek to reinforce and enhance Ireland’s international competitiveness and foster sustainable growth in our international financial services sector.’
Stakeholders—financial firms, policymakers, regional authorities, civil society, and the general public—are encouraged to participate. This is your opportunity to help shape a future-facing strategy that supports innovation, resilience, regional development, and sustainability in Ireland’s international financial services.