Women in deprived areas receive cash boost

Some €7m is to be ploughed into projects promoting equality for women in Ireland’s most deprived areas, it was announced today.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said that of €11m earmarked for Phase II of the Equality for Women Measure, the large majority would be set aside to fund projects in RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) areas.

The money will be invested in schemes such as retraining and career development programmes, innovation projects for women aged over 50 and fast-track training for women in the IT sector.

Mr McDowell said: “This development builds on the success of the initial phase of the Measure. We now know more about how positive action measures work on the ground.

“Phase II, and in particular, the decision to target RAPID areas, has the capacity to ensure that gender equality is for everyone, and that economically and socially disadvantaged areas can play their part.”

The RAPID regions to benefit from the funding injection have been identified as priority areas for Government spending.

They were named the 45 most disadvantaged urban and provincial areas in the country based on factors including unemployment, income levels, educational disadvantage and high levels of rented local authority housing.

In addition to the funding for RAPID areas, €2m has been allocated to fund the expansion of learning developed in Phase I of the Measure.

This includes €500,000 ring-fenced for the mainstreaming of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) projects.

A further €1m is being granted to FÁS to expand the Gateways for Women initiative developed under Phase I to target women returning to the labour market.

Some €300,000 has been set aside for Equality Reviews and Action Plans, managed by the Equality Authority on behalf of the Justice Department.

A further €50,000 will be invested in the Future Leaders programme which provides training to women in senior management positions in the public and private sectors.

The Equality For Women Measure was launched to support work focused on improving opportunities for women living throughout Ireland and is jointly funded by the Government and the EU.