New funding to support more women in Irish politics

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD, today announced funding for Women for Election to support their work in addressing the gender imbalance in Irish politics.

Welcoming the announcement, Women for Election Chair, Aldagh McDonagh, said:

“It is clear from the elections last year that more and more women are coming forward to seek election to represent their communities.

“The funding support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage enables us to accelerate our work to inspire, equip and empower women to run in elections and to win seats as we build towards the next election cycle”

Announcing the funding, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said:

“This funding signifies our continued commitment to ensuring that we have a representative democracy, where women’s voices, experience and skills are fully part of decision making that affects all of our lives.

“There is a lot of work to be done in this space, and we have much further to go. Support for and listening to organisations like Women for Election is integral to that change.

“Our democracy is better with balance in the rooms where decisions are being made.”

Minster of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD, said:

“It is my hope that this funding will continue to assist Women for Election to affect real change. While we can see the positive impact of our efforts in the 2024 local elections, now is not the time to become complacent.

“I hope that in 2025 we can capitalise on the great work already done and, in advance of the next local elections, continue to work to achieve truly equitable representation for all at local level”.

Concluding, McDonogh said:

“Empowering women and fostering diversity in the political arena is not only a matter of equity but is an essential component of a thriving democracy.

“We look forward to continuing to engage with the Government, with City and County Councils, with Political Parties and with women all over the country to see more of these talented women elected to local and national government and to achieving a better balanced and more effective politics”.