DkIT’s Regional Development Centre to receive almost €139,000 for project promoting equal employment opportunities for women

The overall objective of this funding is to remove barriers and improve access to employment for women, with 13 organisations receiving grant awards of between €100,000 and €200,000 each.

The RDC has received almost €139,000 in funding for a new programme called CareerARC, which aims to support women to return to the workforce after a career break.

Announcing the funding, Minster Foley said:
“I am pleased to announce the successful organisations that will receive over €2 million in ESF+ grant funding. This funding is an important step forward in promoting equal employment opportunities for women. Empowering women and girls to overcome barriers, such as the gender pay gap, is a key priority for Government.”
 

Welcoming the announcement, Aidan Browne, Head of Innovation and Business Development at DkIT’s Regional Development Centre, said:
“Securing this funding is a significant achievement for the RDC and DkIT and reflects our commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth. CareerARC will help experienced women reconnect with employment and enterprise opportunities, while also enabling employers across the region to access a valuable pool of skills and talent. The programme is an important addition to our wider work in developing talent, supporting enterprise and social innovation and strengthening the regional economy.”

Speaking about the programme, Lavina McGahon, Civic Engagement Project Manager at the RDC added: 
“We are delighted to receive this valuable funding for CareerARC, which aims to support experienced women whose careers have been interrupted or constrained by caring responsibilities to re-engage with professional and economic opportunity. 
The programme recognises that a career break does not mean a broken career. It enables participants to align their existing experience, current circumstances and ambitions with a realistic career direction; refresh the skills, professional confidence, workplace currency and financial agency needed for today’s labour market; and continue their professional journey through employer engagement, structured professional experience and pathways to employment, entrepreneurship or further learning.”
 

The funding will support women in Ireland to pursue their ambition and achieve their potential in any field they may choose to pursue. It will also support women in attaining a fair share of economic and financial power.

Funding is provided under the Gender Equality Action of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027. The EIST Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The European Social Fund Plus represents a total investment of over €1.08 billion, including €508 million in EU funding and €573 million from the Government of Ireland.

The successful projects are as follows:
1. An Cosán (Dublin) Women’s Springboard Employment Programme (€119,621.00)

An Cosán is a Dublin-based charity committed to ending poverty through the transformative power of education.

2. Doras Luimní CLG (Limerick) Women Beyond Borders (€118,214.00)

Doras Luimní, is an independent organisation, operating in Limerick, working to promote and protect the rights of people from a migrant background in Ireland

3. Dundalk Institute of Technology The CareerARC Programme (€138,737.09)

Dundalk Institute of Technology is a centre of higher education, research, innovation and employer engagement on the Belfast-Dublin corridor.

4. Women's Collective Ireland STEPS to Employment for Women programme (€134,400.00)

Women’s Collective Ireland is a national organisation that works directly with grassroots women from communities across Ireland. Projects funded under this call are located across Dublin, in addition to locations in Clare, Mayo, Waterford, Wexford, and Westmeath.

5. One Family (AKA Cherish CLG) New Futures Employability Programme for Lone Parents – Collaboration with LAES (€115,711.00)

One Family, previously known as Cherish, is Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting, and separating. Projects funded under this call will operate in Dublin and two furthers sites across Munster.

6. South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) Partnership CLG Momentum (€183,900.62)

South and East Cork Area Development is a community development organisation working to support rural development and social inclusion in Cork and beyond.

7. Ballyhoura Development CLG Rural Women Progressing: Pathways to Better Work (€199,670.14)

Ballyhoura Development is a community-led, local development company, operating in North Cork and South-East Limerick. Ballyhoura Development supports communities to design and implement services for the development of local communities.

8. Bray & North Wicklow Area Partnership The KITE Initiative (€170,777.00)

Bray and North Wicklow Area Partnership is a Local Development Company supporting Bray and North Wicklow areas to reduce disadvantage, improve access to opportunities, and empower people and communities to shape positive change.

9. People 1st Employment and Skills Limited RISE: Return • Progress • Lead (€174,778.32)

People 1st is a local training organisation, offering a range of courses across a variety of subject areas. Based in Donegal this project will provide support and training for women returning to the workforce.

10. Roscommon Integrated Development Company REACH (€158,658.26 )

Roscommon Integrated Development Company works to deliver community development and regeneration in Roscommon.

11. Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board Brew Your Future: Women in Hospitality & Sustainable Local Enterprise (€191,772.30)

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board provides a comprehensive range of education and training services throughout the counties Cavan and Monaghan.

12. Now Training & Employment Enterprise CLG Hidden Potential Employment Pathways (€192,204.00)

Now Training and Employment Enterprise works to support people who are neurodiverse, autistic or have a learning difficulty into long-term employment. Projects funded under this call will support women across Dublin and Louth.

13. South Dublin County Partnership CLG Returning Strong (€158,214.00)

South Dublin County Partnership is a local development company committed to addressing social exclusion and supporting families and communities to reach their full potential.

ENDS

Notes
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025–2030 contains commitments across seven strategic objectives aimed at advancing gender equality.
The first Action Plan of the National Strategy for Women and Girls covers the period 2026–2028.
Funding is provided under the Gender Equality Action of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027. The EIST Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The Programme represents a total investment of over €1.08 billion, including €508 million in EU funding and €573 million from the Government of Ireland.