Gender equality across all sectors, including agriculture, is a priority for the Government. I am very proud to have taken quantifiable steps to improve the visibility and representation of, and opportunities for, women in farming and agribusiness.
I am very pleased that, for the first time, Ireland’s new CAP strategic plan includes a number of specific measures aimed at increasing the participation of women in farming. For example, there is an increased grant rate of 60% under the capital investment scheme, the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme, TAMS 3, to fund investments by trained women farmers. Women-only knowledge transfer groups are being promoted and there is improved recording and reporting of gender data and leveraging of the national CAP network to increase the involvement of all women in the implementation of the CAP. All CAP interventions are now being developed with a gender-aware perspective to ensure there are no inherent barriers to women's participation. Furthermore, the European Innovation Partnerships offer an ideal opportunity for the sector to develop initiatives that will promote women's participation in farming.
Since 2015, my Department has provided support for rural female entrepreneurs under the accelerating the creation of rural nascent start-ups, ACORNS, programme. This initiative involves the development and implementation of a tailored programme to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland. Over 400 female entrepreneurs have participated in the programme since its introduction, with the ACORNS 9 programme commencing this month.
Food Vision 2030 also recognises the importance of gender equality. One action under the plan was to hold a national dialogue on women in agriculture, which I hosted on 1 February this year, St. Brigid's Day. The dialogue was chaired by former Tánaiste and Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan. The outcome of the discussions is currently being compiled into a report that will inform policy in this regard in the coming years.
I have also committed to achieving better gender representation on State boards. I am delighted to see several appointments secured by highly qualified female candidates in 2023 and to report that we are well on track to achieve the 40% gender representation target set for the 12 State boards under my remit.