Plea over shortage of female scientists

Ireland needs an additional 2,000 scientists and engineers so the country can compete as a dynamic knowledge-based economy, it emerged today.

According to the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), women have been identified as the greatest untapped source of potential talent to meet this increased demand for science jobs.

The foundation is launching an initiative today to address the under-representation of women in science and engineering research in Ireland.

The SFI’s Women in Science and Engineering Research Initiative will be unveiled by Minister Micheál Martin at Government Buildings, Dublin.

It aims to ensure that women are able to compete equally on the basis of their scientific expertise and potential.