Louth Senator welcomes women and girls action plan
Senator Comyn said the Action Plan arrives at an important time.
Louth Fianna Fáil Senator and Chair of the Oireachtas Women's Caucus, Senator Alison Comyn has welcomed the publication of the first Action Plan under the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025–2030, describing it as an important milestone that will help turn ambition into action across Government.
The Action Plan, published today by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD, sets out how the commitments in the National Strategy for Women and Girls will be delivered between 2026 and 2028. It identifies the Departments and agencies responsible for implementation and establishes mechanisms to track progress over the coming years.
Senator Comyn said the Action Plan arrives at an important time.
"This Action Plan is about moving beyond aspirations and delivering practical measures that will improve the lives of women and girls right across Ireland.
"While significant progress has been made in recent years, women continue to face barriers in areas such as political participation, employment, caring responsibilities, sport and personal safety. This plan will be a step in addressing that.
"As Chair of the Oireachtas Women's Caucus, I particularly welcome the commitment to expand Regional Women's Caucus Networks to every local authority and to launch a new campaign encouraging more women to enter politics.
"We need our elected representatives to better reflect the communities they serve, and these initiatives will help encourage more women to put themselves forward."
The first Action Plan includes commitments to:
• Expand Regional Women's Caucus Networks across all local authorities and launch a new campaign to encourage women into politics.
• Introduce a new Parents Leave Pay Related Benefit.
• Review the affordability, comfort and sustainability of school uniforms.
• Deliver new STEM equality training for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners.
• Develop new public awareness campaigns to prevent domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
• Develop legislative proposals to introduce pregnancy loss leave for those who experience pregnancy loss before 23 weeks' gestation.
Alongside the Action Plan, Minister Foley also announced a new €1 million funding call to support organisations in helping women overcome barriers to employment, develop new skills and return to the workforce.
Senator Comyn said the funding initiative would create new opportunities for women across the country.
"Supporting women to access employment, progress in their careers or return to work after time away benefits families, communities and the economy.
"The National Strategy for Women and Girls sets an ambitious vision for a more equal Ireland. This first Action Plan provides some of the practical steps needed to make that vision a reality, and I look forward to seeing these commitments delivered over the coming years."