Ireland on track to be appropriately represented in EU within 12 months

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, has today (8 May) welcomed Ireland’s growing presence in the EU Institutions, ahead of Europe Day.

In May 2021, Minister Byrne launched the government’s ‘A Career for EU’ strategy with the aim of increasing Irish representation in the EU’s institutions and agencies.

Since the launch of the ‘A Career for EU’ strategy, the number of Irish nationals currently working at entry and mid-level grades in the Commission, has grown from approximately 30 in 2022, to 43 at the end of 2025. Ireland is now on track to be appropriately represented, within the EU institutions, within the next 12 months.

Ireland now has the highest number of Seconded National Experts, per capita, in the European Commission amongst all Member States. Funding for the Centrally Funded Scheme Seconded National Experts scheme has risen from €2 million in 2021 to €4.2 million in 2026.

In 2025, 34 Irish people undertook the Schuman Traineeship, with the European Parliament, giving a percentage of 3.76 amongst total trainees. This is almost double of our expected percentage of 1.94. Traineeships are a proven pathway towards a rewarding career in the EU, and recent promotional efforts by the Irish Government, have also focused on highlighting traineeships, such as the Blue Book with the Commission

Commenting on these positive results, Minister Byrne said: “I am delighted to see that Ireland is now on track to be appropriately represented within the EU institutions within the next 12 months. The officials who draft proposals, shape regulation and turn political agreement into operational law are central to ensuring the EU benefits all its citizens. The more Irish people in these roles, the more an Irish perspective is heard and understood.

“With Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July 2026, having experienced Irish officials in place across the institutions has never been more important, both to protect Irish interests and to demonstrate Ireland’s commitment to a strong and effective Union.”

Minister Byrne continued: “Ireland also has the highest number of Seconded National Experts per capita in the European Commission amongst all Member States. Together with a strong cohort of Irish citizens working in temporary roles, this points to a significantly stronger pipeline of potential future permanent officials than existed when the strategy was launched.”

Minister Byrne highlighted, in particular, the high number of Irish applicants for the recent graduate AD5 competition, the first large-scale recruitment competition that the EU has held since 2019.

Minister Byrne said: “Figures show over 1,700 Irish citizens submitted applications, placing Ireland 10th out of 27 Member States on a per capita basis. This is a significant and encouraging result for a country of Ireland’s size and compares very favourably with other EU Member States. Most importantly, it is a vote of confidence in the European project from a new generation of Irish people who are willing to step forward and lead the EU through the next stage of its evolution.”

Since the launch of the ‘A Career for EU’ strategy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has significantly expanded outreach and awareness-raising of careers in the EU, with a particular focus on second and third level students. In 2025, hundreds of Irish candidates received targeted training supports across multiple competitions, including EU-specific practice materials and interview preparation.

Further information on career opportunities available in the EU, along with the supports provided to Irish candidates by the government can be found at https://www.ireland.ie/en/eu-jobs/.

ENDS

Press Office

8 May 2026

Notes to Editor:

· The A Career for EU strategy sets out steps by which the government can improve Irish participation and success rates in EU recruitment processes. By 2030, the strategy aims to have 50 Irish citizens secure posts at entry-level and above. The Strategy has three key areas of focus:

o Promotion of careers in the EU institutions in Ireland, in particular within the education system, to encourage more Irish applicants for EU jobs.

o Greater support and training for Irish people interested in careers in the EU’s institutions.

o Promoting the reform of the EU’s recruitment process to ensure more Irish people secure positions in the institutions.

· Seconded National Experts or SNEs are civil or public servants temporarily assigned to the EU institutions or agencies for periods of two years. Though it cannot compensate for the absence of permanent Irish officials in the EU, is vitally important in building up EU expertise within the Irish system. It is also an important means of ensuring Irish people work in priority policy areas across the institutions.