Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Ministers, Deputies Harris and Darragh O'Brien, on the announcement we are expecting around now on support for accommodation for higher level students. Every year we hear of students not being able to get accommodation. The €434 million partnership that will see 2,700 beds across the country is welcome news.

I welcome to the House the members of Network Ireland, an incredible group of women who come together collectively to support one another in a collaborative way. I am absolutely delighted that we are joined by members from 17 different networks around the country and the Kildare president Emma Early Murphy is very welcome. I had the privilege of being at the awards ceremony the weekend before last. It was great to see the very positive collaboration, support and empowerment. I also welcome Anita Meenehan is the president-elect of the Kildare group, along with all the ladies who are here. Network Ireland has about 1,000 members involving women from different professions, SMEs, entrepreneurs working in larger companies.

The organisation was founded back in 1983 and I have had the pleasure of seeing it grow and develop. This year it announced a partnership under Ms Early Murphy's leadership with women in business in Northern Ireland. They have set up an academy to support one another. It is about that element of networking, collaboration and support. We are very pleased to host them today. They will be holding their executive meeting in Leinster House and later will be having lunch in the Members' restaurant. Any Members who would like to join would be very welcome.

We are making great progress in closing the gender gap and the power gap. The number of female CEOs has grown hugely. As chairperson of the Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus here in the Oireachtas, I recognise it is important that we support measures being put in place to advance female empowerment. I know that the network operates with tiny State funding and that should change. We need to put measures in place. I have had a conversation with the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, and I have no doubt that the Deputy Leader will bring this up with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to support the great work they are doing.

The evening before last I chaired a Stop the Stigma event in the audiovisual room. Eight of the biggest and strongest unions in Ireland came together to support women in the workplace in stopping the stigma about the menopause and menstruation. In Leinster House there is no policy for female workers. Loretta Dignam from the Menopause Hub had an awards ceremony the week before last. There were 27 finalists recognising those who have put in strong workplace practices. We need to do it in Leinster house. I will be calling on all Senators to offer their support on that.