Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney has backed the launch of Enterprise Ireland’s Action Plan for Women In Business.
The plan, which is part of the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland strategy, aims to increase the levels of women-led businesses and women in strategic management positions to improve diversity.
It has 24 actions within four key objectives, which include: Offering one-to-one engagement to support women-led companies with growth ambitions and expansion into global markets; introducing a new grant for Enterprise Ireland supported companies to facilitate the recruitment of part-time senior managers; developing, supporting and promoting a national network of role models to inspire future entrepreneurs and business leaders; and issuing a series of funding calls targeting women entrepreneurs and women researchers from third level institutions.
Minister Canney said: “The Action Plan for Women In Business is a very important initiative to support women entrepreneurs and further opportunities for the talent that is out there.
“It is essential that we grow the participation of women in business at leadership level to realise Ireland’s full economic potential.
“Research shows that gender diversity makes for better decision-making, improved productivity and increased profitability.”
Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon said: “This new plan aims to address a broad range of factors contributing to the under-representation of women in enterprise.
“We will achieve this by working in collaboration with others across the public and private sector to bring about lasting sustainable improvement that will narrow the participation gap between men and women and achieve increased economic growth.”

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
January 7 2020