Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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328. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under her Department and at agencies under her aegis in the next six months and in the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56443/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the deputy of the following two programmes in relation to his question.

Programme 1: The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Social Fund+ Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training programme (EIST) 2021-27. The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund contributes up to 90% of course fees for early years educators who are studying for an approved degree-level qualification in Early Learning and Childcare, while continuing to work within the sector. To date, the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund has been in a position to offer financial support to over 700 applicants. It is expected that the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will be extended for the academic year 2026/2027 and applications for the scheme will open in March 2026. The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to ‘remove barriers in education and training for early years educators to broaden access to the profession.’

Programme 2: Gender Equality measures

Funding will also be made available in early 2026 for Gender Equality measures under the European Social Fund (ESF+) Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training Programme 2021-2027, known as EIST.