What works in Ireland

Ireland has implemented multiple evidence-based policies to advance equality and economic inclusion. Ireland's Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 created the country's first legally binding pay-equity evidence base, with 500+ companies disclosing a mean gender pay gap of 12.6% and median of 8.37% in the first reporting cycle (December 2022). Ireland Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 conditioned party state funding on fielding at least 30% women candidates (raised to 40% in 2023), resulting in women's Dáil representation rising from 15.1% (2011) to 25.3% (2024)—a 10.2 percentage-point increase—while women candidates increased by 90%. Ireland also supports business growth and skills development through initiatives like Going for Growth, a peer-support program for women business owners, and Fast Track to IT, an industry-government partnership providing ICT training to those at risk of long-term unemployment.