More than half of businesses in Ireland have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) budgets and 43% have dissolved dedicated DEI roles, according to new research. It found that 77% of respondents from businesses in Ireland have not recalibrated their DEI approach and that 78% still see gender balance as a top strategic or important priority. However, 52% report changing the language or terminology used in DEI reporting, while 52% have scaled back DEI budgets, and 43% have dissolved dedicated DEI roles. 84% of respondents believe gender balance will be essential or very important to organisational resilience and competitiveness. "Embedding gender balance into succession planning, leadership development and accountability frameworks strengthens decision making at every level.

Source: Irish Examiner February 26, 2026 00:17 UTC