Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
331. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings he or officials from his Department have had with the National Women's Council of Ireland from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI and my officials meet periodically with the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI). This is solely in relation to specific projects related to ending sexual violence and harassment in third level education. Details of every engagement since 2019 is not available.
My Department provides some funding to the NWCI to support its work regarding Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Third Level Education (ESHTE). There is ongoing engagement with the NWCI in respect of this work. The NWCI also sits on a number of working groups in this area alongside officials from my Department.
NWCI’s focus in this work has been on continuing to build and enhance relationships across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Student Unions and specialist support agencies, and other relevant agencies though the National Advisory Committee (NAC) to support the national goals of the Safe Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education Institutes Framework (SRSP Framework). They also campaign to create zero tolerance campuses through the It Stops Now campaign.
The work in which I engage with the NWCI complements the work carried out by my officials in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit of my Department and the work of the Higher Education Authority’s Centre for Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
