Today, Enterprise Ireland launched a new grant which will facilitate the recruitment of part-time senior managers in client companies. While the grant will be available for both women and men key managers, it is expected to attract more women into senior management roles.

The Part-Time Key Manager grant will cover up to 50% of eligible salary costs for a new senior manager who will play a significant strategic role in the future growth of the company and is intended to encourage businesses to take positive steps to attract talent at a senior level.

Examples of key manager positions include Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technical Officer, R&D Manager and Production Manager.

Commenting on the new Part-Time Key Manager grant, Entrepreneurship Manager at Enterprise Ireland, Sheelagh Daly said, "There is significant international research including McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, the IMF and the International Labour office among others, which clearly demonstrates that companies with gender diversity in decision making and leadership positions perform better – they are more profitable, more productive and deliver better returns on assets."

She added, "Secondly, we know that people who have senior management experience are more likely to see an opportunity for an innovative new enterprise, and are more likely to have the confidence and capability to do something about that opportunity, as well as having a network of connections to support the realisation of the opportunity, including better access to finance."

Source: www.businessworld.ie