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Minister Naughton launches report on CodePlus initiative for female students in tech

Professor Cornelia Connolly, University of Galway, Dr Clare McInernery, LERO and University of Limerick, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, T.D., Maeve Hoolmaa, Dominican College, Taylors Hill, Galway City, and Deckard the robot.
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Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, T.D. has today officially launched a research report showcasing the success of CodePlus, a computing education outreach programme for girls.

The aim of CodePlus is to encourage female students in post-primary schools, especially from areas of socio-economic disadvantage, to learn more about computer science so that they can make informed decisions about pursuing studies at third level.

The CodePlus programme involves coding workshops, techtalks with female role models and site visits to industry partners.

The report shows 23,000 female post-primary students have taken part in CodePlus, with 6,450 engaged in activities and learning in 2024/25 alone.

The launch was hosted by Genesys and University of Galway, marking the programme’s success, and the vital support provided by industry partners.

Launching the report, Galway based Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, said:

CodePlus is opening doors for young women across the country, showing them that a future in computer science is not only possible, but within reach. The findings published today speak for themselves. More than 23,000 students have taken part in CodePlus to date, with more than 6,400 engaging in the last academic year alone. That is a powerful indicator of both demand and impact.

Programmes like CodePlus are essential if we are serious about increasing participation in STEM and building a more diverse, inclusive workforce for the future. This is about giving young women the confidence, the skills, and the visibility they need to make informed choices about their education and careers.

Professor Cornelia Connolly, University of Galway, said: 

Our research presents a longitudinal study, showing the benefits of this outreach computing programme. Helping students and teachers cultivate powerful computing skills is one of the most important ways to ensure computing and digital technologies, such as AI, expands opportunity to everyone in society. We are showing Computer Science is not just a subject in school – we are showing young, educated, eager female students that there is a path for them to a career of their choice in this field.

Key points from CodePlus report, available on https://www.codeplusireland.ie/:

  • 3,982 female students have taken part in coding workshops as part of the initiative, including more than 700 in 2024/25 alone.
  • 18,018 career talks given to female students by female role models.
  • More than 1,300 female students went on company visits to learn about opportunities for a career in the sector.
  • Female students reported improved attitudes toward technology and greater awareness of Computer Science careers, with many citing the CodePlus programme as influential in shaping their decisions about future study.
  • The all-girl environment and female role models are important, fostering a sense of belonging and providing a supportive learning experience.
  • Workshops were the most valuable feature – enjoyable, supportive and confidence-boosting, while learning in teams/groupwork/collaboration enhanced learning and social development.
  • Students reported improvements in communication, presentation and creativity skills and valuable, broader transferable skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, interpersonal and leadership skills.
  • Data from the CodePlus initiative reveals a gap between initial interest and actual uptake of Computer Science courses at third level: while more than 30% expressed intent to pursue Computer Science immediately after participation, only 17% ultimately applied for Computer Science-related courses two years later.
  • CodePlus helped participants make informed decisions on whether or not to pursue a computing career.
  • Analysis suggests CodePlus is effective in sparking interest but sustained engagement and broader structural factors – such as curriculum exposure, societal perceptions and career guidance – play a critical role in long-term decision-making.

CodePlus began in Trinity College Dublin in 2015. In 2020, with support from Lero, the Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland Centre for Software and funding under the Discover programme, the initiative expanded at University of Galway and University of Limerick. It aligns with policy developments happening through the Department of Education, including the new primary curriculum and Senior Cycle review.

Dr Rachel Iredale, Head of Public Engagement for Research Ireland, said:

Research Ireland is pleased to have supported the CodePlus programme and this important longitudinal evaluation, which provides clear evidence of how early and inclusive engagement can broaden participation in computer science. CodePlus has helped to ensure that more young women can see a place for themselves in computer science and the wider STEM ecosystem.

Joe Smyth, Senior Vice President of R&D and Digital at Genesys, said:

Genesys is delighted to support the CodePlus programme and its goals of creating a more inclusive workforce in the critical areas of STEM, especially computer science. As Genesys builds out its workforce in the West of Ireland, we want to ensure that everyone has opportunities to participate in the global tech industry.

CodePlus is supported by philanthropy and industry, including Google.org, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, and Huawei.

Photo Caption: Pictured (l-r) Professor Cornelia Connolly, University of Galway, Dr Clare McInernery, LERO and University of Limerick, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, T.D., Maeve Hoolmaa, Dominican College, Taylors Hill, Galway City, and Deckard the robot. Image: Andrew Downes, Xposure.

 

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