Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1274. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions her Department is taking to increase the levels of female entrepreneurship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13234/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1275. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the low level of female entrepreneurship here according to a report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13235/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1274 and 1275 together.
The most recent Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report figures for 2014 show there are at least twice as many men than women in each category of entrepreneurship.
The Government’s National Policy Statement on Entrepreneurship in Ireland was launched in October 2014 and sets out the Government’s strategic objectives as a facilitator within the Irish entrepreneurship ecosystem.
One objective of the policy statement is to promote female entrepreneurship through identification and promotion of female role models, targeted events and awards, support for female entrepreneur networks and promotion of a dedicated area on corporate websites.
My Department has established a web page targeted specifically at current and potential female entrepreneurs. The 2017 Action Plan for Jobs calls for the Roll out the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative and to further develop female centred entrepreneurial and start up initiatives.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are also actively engaged in encouraging and inspiring an increase in female-led businesses. In 2016, 60% of participants attending their training programmes were female with 44% of the mentoring participants were female. More than 900 businesswomen attended the range of 2016 annual National Women’s Enterprise Day events. This was considered highly successful and it is planned to run NWED 2017 in a similar format.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) has been running female only feasibility and competitive funds since 2012. The Female Entrepreneurship Unit had another successful year with an increase in female-led start-ups to 63, including 19 High Potential Start-Ups. The next Female Specific Start Fund will open on 3 May 2017 which will accelerate the growth of female-led start-up companies.
An important aspect of the networking programme is the promotion of successful female entrepreneurs as role models and the use of mentoring and networking opportunities which aims to build confidence of newly emerging female entrepreneurs. In 2017, The Female Leadership and Growing Ambition Conference hosted by Enterprise Ireland took place on 9th March in Bank of Ireland, College Green. The Female Founders Roadshow visited six locations: Dundalk, Galway, Athlone, Donegal, Limerick and Cork. EI also sponsor awards such as Tatler Business Woman of the Year Awards. They developed a series of female accelerator programmes in partnership with knowledge providers. These included Going for Growth and the DCU Ryan Academy Female Propeller Programme.
These initiatives demonstrate that the Government is firmly backing female entrepreneurship and considers it an important area of job creation within the economy.
