Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Advancing the role of women in our agriculture sector is a key priority of mine as Minister. I am pleased to advise that the Women in Agriculture Action Plan is progressing well since I launched it in January. The Group established to implement the Plan has met four times to date and will continue to meet on a quarterly basis.

Good progress has been made across the 12 action points, including:

• Group members, including women farmer representative bodies, are collaborating on dedicated events and webinars for delivery in the coming months.
• Agricultural education organisations have presented to the group on their current work on women in agriculture.
• There is a review of current awards programmes with a view to identifying a suitable way to acknowledge and recognise those who are leading for women in the agri-food sector.
• Work is underway in my Department on communications and reviewing scheme eligibility and educational requirements.
• A central information hub for women active or interested in a career in agriculture is being developed.
• Findings from the HERSELF research project are expected in the summer.
• Funding for a joint study by Teagasc and UCD on “Gender and Generational Factors in Agricultural Resource Management for Sustainability” has just been announced by my Department.

In addition, I have written to the CEOs of all the state boards under my remit, to promote their engagement in the roll-out of the plan as well as asking them to continue to pursue gender balancing strategies within their own organisations.

The Women in Agriculture Action Plan is a practical step towards a more inclusive, gender balanced sector. I remain committed to implementing policies and supports that build on the progress to date through the current CAP Strategic Plan and Food Vision 2030, our shared vision for the agri-food sector to 2030.