The Department of Foreign Affairs is set to grant a Kerry company the lucrative contract for the planned new Certificates of Irish Heritage.

Fexco, a Kerry based services firm has been selected as the preferred supplier according to The Sunday Tribune. Although the company, which currently employs over 900 people, have emphasised that they have yet to sign any deals.

As well as offices in Ireland and the U.K., Fexco also operate bases in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

The department have decided to outsource the design and production to the private sector. The tendering process which began in July is effectively over and the Kerry company is expected to begin designing and producing the certificates in the coming months.

The most lucrative part of the contract includes the contact details of members of the Irish diaspora who are still attached to Ireland.

Last June the Irish Government announced plans for the introduction of a certificate of Irish heritage which will be available for up to 70 million people around the world who do not qualify for citizenship.