Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
495. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the introduction of free, safe and adequate period products for publicly funded educational spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21251/20]
View answerIn line with statutory requirements my Department is developing a new three year strategic plan which will be informed by the range of education commitments in the Programme for Government, which include developing new strategies, striving for excellence across the sector, addressing costs and investing in high-quality education, supporting all learners and in particular, those at risk of educational disadvantage. My Department will also work to support cross- governmental issues and related commitments in the Programme for Government.
It is currently participating in the work of the National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG) sub-committee on Period Poverty, chaired by the Department of Health. The work of the sub- committee will include consideration of the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide a range of free, adequate, safe and suitable period products in all educational publicly-funded settings. Work on the report of the sub-committee is currently underway. It will in due course be submitted to the full NSWG Strategy Committee for onward submission to Government for decisions to be taken on implementation at that point in time.
