Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Balance for Better Business is very important. I met with it recently. It launched a new five-year strategy and targets 40%-plus female representation across boards and leadership teams through to 2028. I absolutely concur that it is important we have additional female participation in senior leadership roles across our economy. It is critical. There are 2.7 million people employed and approximately 1.25 million female participants now in the labour market. That is up about 170,000 since quarter 1 of 2019. Policies like remote working and improved childcare all contribute to a significant increase in participation. More agile rules are underwriting our labour force. Balance for Better Business is a critical tool in advocating on behalf of that. It has met its initial target and is working on the five-year strategy to hit 40% participation through to 2028.