Ireland has established itself as one of the world’s leading international financial services centres. The sector continues to play a significant role in the Irish economy, with Ireland ranking as the seventh largest exporter of financial services globally and the fourth largest within the European Union. The country is home to many of the world’s leading financial institutions, including 22 of the top 25 global financial services companies and 21 of the top 25 international banking groups.
Ireland has also developed a strong reputation in specialist financial services sectors. In aviation finance, 14 of the world’s 15 largest aircraft lessors are headquartered in Ireland, while approximately 60% of the global leased aircraft fleet is managed through Irish structures. The international financial services sector currently employs approximately 61,000 people across more than 600 firms, with the Government targeting further growth to 70,000 jobs by 2030.
Against this backdrop, on 25 August 2026, the Department of Finance published Ireland for Finance Strategy Vision 2030 – Renewed and Refocused for a Digital Age (the “Strategy“), setting out its vision for the continued development of Ireland’s international financial services sector over the coming years.
Building upon the previous Ireland for Finance framework, which has guided policy since 2019, the Strategy reflects a renewed emphasis on competitiveness, innovation, skills development and digital transformation. It also introduces enhanced governance structures, a programme of policy initiatives and a series of measurable objectives designed to support the long-term growth and resilience of the sector.
Strategic Ambitions
The Strategy is centred around four overarching ambitions:
- Maintaining Ireland’s position as a competitive and trusted international financial services centre;
- Enhancing Ireland’s capacity to attract, develop and retain specialised expertise;
- Leveraging technological capability to support digital transformation and innovation; and
- Strengthening links between the international financial services sector, domestic businesses and wider society.
To support these ambitions, the Government has identified 31 strategic actions and 36 key performance indicators that will be used to track progress through to 2030.
Key Areas of Focus
Legislative Modernisation
A key theme underpinning the Strategy is the Government’s commitment to maintaining a legislative framework that is competitive, proportionate and responsive to market developments.
This includes a focus on the timely implementation of financial services legislation, minimising unnecessary regulatory complexity and modernising existing frameworks to support innovation. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that Ireland’s legislative environment is capable of accommodating emerging technologies, including tokenisation, artificial intelligence and wider digital finance initiatives.
The Strategy also contemplates future legislative reforms in response to evolving domestic and international priorities, including developments within the securitisation market.
Regulatory Enhancement
The Department of Finance intends to continue working closely with the Central Bank of Ireland and industry stakeholders to support the simplification and modernisation of Ireland’s regulatory framework.
Initiatives highlighted in the Strategy include engagement on the Central Bank’s Simplification Roadmap, the introduction of a Regulatory Impact Assessment framework and consideration of supervisory and funding arrangements. Collectively, these measures are intended to support an efficient regulatory environment while maintaining robust standards of oversight and investor protection.
Support for Core Financial Services Sectors
The Strategy identifies several sectors in which Ireland has established a significant international presence and which are expected to remain key drivers of future growth.
In aviation finance, the Government intends to deepen its engagement with industry participants through refreshed governance structures. Within the insurance sector, initiatives are proposed to support the continued development of specialty insurance and InsurTech through enhanced collaboration, innovation and skills development.
The banking sector will continue to be promoted internationally, with a focus on expanding Ireland’s role in cross-border banking, capital markets and payments services.
Of particular relevance to the structured finance market, the Strategy expressly recognises the role of securitisation as a source of alternative funding for businesses and a contributor to the objectives of the EU Savings and Investments Union. The Department of Finance has indicated its intention to support the continued growth and development of the sector.
Digital Assets and Sustainable Finance
The Strategy places significant emphasis on Ireland’s future role in digital finance and financial innovation.
The Government has committed to advancing legislative initiatives that support tokenisation and digital assets, while strengthening engagement with industry participants through a dedicated Digital Assets Industry Group. Investment in resilient digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence capabilities also forms part of the broader policy agenda.
Sustainable finance remains another important area of focus. Among the initiatives highlighted is the planned establishment of a United Nations Development Programme Global Project Office for Sustainable Finance in Dublin. The Department of Finance will also examine how structured finance structures may contribute to climate finance and broader sustainable investment initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The publication of the Strategy provides a clear indication of the Government’s ambition to maintain and enhance Ireland’s position as a leading international financial services centre.
For participants across banking, structured finance, aviation finance, insurance and related sectors, the Strategy signals continued support for competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth. In particular, the recognition of securitisation and structured finance as important components of Ireland’s financial services ecosystem is likely to be welcomed by market participants.
As the Strategy’s 31 actions begin to be implemented, stakeholders across the sector will be closely monitoring how these initiatives translate into legislative, regulatory and operational developments over the coming years.
