It will be the latest in a series of visits since the hugely popular Mr Clinton became a private citizen.

In 2003, he was in the capital to finalise a partnership between his eponymous charitable foundation and the Government.

Under that partnership, the Government committed €50 million over the five-year period to 2007 to developing countries being assisted by the Clinton Foundation in their fight against HIV/AIDS.

The bulk of that money — some €40m — was earmarked for Mozambique, which is among the 10 countries worst affected by HIV and AIDS in the world.

Mr Clinton has told the Government he wishes to return to Dublin to discuss the ongoing partnership.

In 2003, Mr Ahern indicated the Government would be willing to provide a further €60m in funding at a future point.

The minister with responsibility for overseas aid, Conor Lenihan, confirmed Mr Clinton’s intention to visit Ireland.

Mr Lenihan met Mr Clinton in Mozambique in July last year to witness both the work of the foundation and to evaluate how the Irish money was being spent.

He informed the Dáil last week that a mid-term review of the Government’s partnership with the foundation in Mozambique had been completed.

“This has demonstrated that substantial early gains are being made,” Mr Lenihan said.

“At the end of 2005, over 20,000 people were on anti-retroviral therapy; 75,000 women accessed services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission; 270,000 people accessed voluntary HIV counselling and testing services; and 35,000 people were receiving home-based care.”