Minister McEntee announces Consular Assistance Overview for 2025

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, has announced that, for the fourth consecutive year, the number of consular cases dealt with by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has increased.

The Department provided consular assistance to 1,981 new cases in 2025. This support includes cases involving missing persons, serious injuries, arrests, victims of crime, mental health issues and deaths abroad. This does not include the ongoing response to assist Irish citizens caught up in a series of crises in the Middle East.

Minister McEntee said: “The safety and wellbeing of Irish citizens overseas is central to the consular work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This work has several components, including offering timely and compassionate advice to Irish citizens in challenging circumstances, publishing accurate travel advice for more than 200 countries and territories and responding to crises overseas.

"The 2025 statistics show a consistently high level of demand for our services. In addition to an overall increase in case numbers, consular teams continue to provide assistance in a high number of long-running, complex cases. I am keenly aware that these cases are particularly challenging for our citizens and their families.

“I want to pay tribute to the hardworking staff in our Embassies and Consulates around the world who, alongside the team based in the Department's headquarters in Dublin, provide round-the-clock assistance to our citizens. This important work also includes authenticating 59,000 Irish documents for business or personal use overseas, and the issuance of more than 2,400 civil letters of freedom to enable Irish citizens to marry abroad.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our key partners for their vital contributions and support to Ireland’s Consular Assistance Programme. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas, Crosscare, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, and Safe Home Ireland continue to provide invaluable work in supporting citizens and their families who experience difficult and, in some cases, tragic situations overseas.

“I would also like to thank our diaspora groups across the world, who play an incredibly important role in providing support and assistance to the global Irish community.”

In 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded to several global crises, including those provoked by conflict, political instability and extreme weather events. Many had a considerable consular dimension.

The Department also continued to undertake evacuations from Gaza as well as supporting a number of citizens to depart from Iran and Israel.

Minister McEntee said: “My Department continues to provide assistance to Irish citizens and dependents caught in crises overseas. I know that a small number of Irish citizens and dependents remain in Gaza and my Department, through our missions in the region, continues to advocate on behalf of those that have not yet been able to leave.

“My Department has continued to strengthen our preparedness for such emergencies and has deepened our cooperation with international partners in order to ensure cohesive and comprehensive crisis response.

“Our Embassies and Consulates are there to help but preparation is key. I urge everyone travelling this winter to visit www.ireland.ie/TravelWise for the most up-to-date travel and consular advice. Take the time to note the contact details for the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate in the country that you are visiting. This winter, I urge you to make the Right Memories by staying safe, informed and connected while travelling abroad.”

Notes to Editor

2025 has seen the highest number of deaths of Irish citizens overseas reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

More than one-in-five of all new consular cases in 2025 related to the death of an Irish citizen overseas.

2025 also saw a significant increase in prisoner cases (up by 48%) and an increase of 13% in the numbers of citizens presenting with issues relating to their mental health and wellbeing.

ENDS

Press Office

2 January 2026