660. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the ESF+ EIST funding scheme under the gender equality stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51432/26]

Equality between women and men is a core principle of public policy and law in Ireland. Eradicating discrimination against women and supporting the full and equal participation of women in all areas of life are public policy objectives.

This vision for gender equality in Ireland acts in synergy with The European Commission Roadmap for Women’s Rights. The Roadmap outlines a long-term vision for achieving gender equality and aims to uphold and advance women’s rights and to address new gender equality challenges, such as technology-facilitated bias, discrimination, and violence.

The National Strategy for Women and Girls is Ireland’s plan for advancing gender equality over the next five years. It reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the advancement of gender equality and the creation of a more equal society.

The Strategy has a single, simple vision: An Ireland where women and girls can thrive in a gender equal society. To realise this vision, the Strategy sets seven objectives, each corresponding to one or more areas of women’s experience where public policy action is required to address gender inequalities.

This work has been led by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, which is the Department with responsibility for the co-ordination of gender equality policy across Government. The Department is currently working towards announcement of a call for proposals for project funding aligned to the Gender Equality objective of the EIST Programme in 2026 to support fulfilment of our domestic and EU commitments to gender equality. Further details on the funding call will be made available in the coming weeks.