Ms Maeve McConnon:

We have some great examples and what is great about the examples is that they show best practice in some of these areas. That is something we can aspire to across the board for companies in Ireland. A number of companies are doing much work in this area. For example, Accenture has been running its inspire women in technology programme for many years which champions the role of women in science technology and STEM subjects. Its action programme for women recognises the need to take action for women and the need to adjust its polices accordingly. Part of this programme is to introduce mentoring and some supports for women, including women going on maternity leave who are appointed a maternity buddy who comes in while the person is out and after the person comes back. The maternity buddy keeps them up to date on what is happening in the organisation and attuned to strategies and changes in policy so that when they return they assimilate very quickly back into the organisation.

Those types of initiatives are innovative and have led to great sharing and best practice both across their organisation and into the greater economy where they are working with producing reports on those who have the greatest influence on women in technology. They have looked at reports on who influences; it is really the parents. Parents primarily influence a child at secondary school and that influences career choices in their CAO applications. Accenture has been doing much research in this area. Again it is about looking back into the profile of what jobs a girl and boy should go into and changing some of those stereotypes. Accenture do some great work in that area. I am sure the committee is aware of some of the work Facebook is doing as well, led by led by its CEO, Sheryl Sandberg.

EMC has been very vocal, as has Intel. Many of them see the need to increase that bridge relating to employable workforce. They know that skill shortages are global and they need to be able to attract and nurture skills they have in Ireland and globally.