Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is great to have the Minister of State in the House. I highlight the importance and the successes of the THRIVE programme and ask that his Department engage directly with the management of the programme to ensure it receives funding and can continue beyond this June. I emphasise the crucial importance of continuing to fund this truly innovative initiative that is specifically designed to support women who are striving to bring new products and services to the market within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, sector.

The programme is delivered by the regional development centre in Dundalk Institute of Technology, which has a hugely successful track record of delivering entrepreneurship programmes across the region. STRIVE serves as a beacon of empowerment for women in STEM, providing them with the necessary resources, mentorship and guidance to navigate the complex landscape of product development and innovation. By offering a platform where female entrepreneurs can flourish and bring their ideas to fruition, THRIVE is not just supporting individuals. It is fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity within the traditionally male dominated fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

As the Minister of State knows well, we are standing on the cusp of major technological advancement. Society is moving on. It is imperative that we harness the full potential of the talents and perspectives of our people. Women have long been under-represented in STEM fields. Initiatives like the THRIVE programme are instrumental in bridging that gap and creating a more equitable playing field. By investing in the programme, we are not only investing in the success of individual women but also investing in our economy and in the future.The ideas and solutions that emerge from the programme have the potential to revolutionise industries, create jobs and drive economic growth. I hope the Minister of State and his Department can engage with the THRIVE management and Lavina McGahon, who is the manager of the programme in Dundalk.

It has been given national recognition. It was the national winner of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards - Promotion of Entrepreneurship Spirit, which took place in Bilbao in Spain in November of last year. It has been getting the results and it would be a real shame to let this programme fall off a cliff in June.