Fintech

Ireland ‘lucky’ start-ups risk investment despite lack of support says fintech chief

Department of Finance officials were told lack of support for start-ups to fund maternity leave created a ‘male bias’ in the sector

Colm Lyon, CEO of Fire, said that unlike regulators in other jurisdictions, CBI did not provide guidance around the requirements for operating in the Irish financial sector. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Ireland has been chastised for an alleged lack of support for startups, with the head of one fintech telling a government roundtable the country is lucky start-ups take on the risk of establishing a company here.

Colum Lyons, chief executive of ID-Pal, the Irish identity verification provider, said lack of support for start-ups to fund maternity leave created a “male bias” in the sector according to minutes, released under the Freedom of Information Act.

In ...