Duncan Smith
Question:851. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the provision of free sanitary products such as tampons and pads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/22]
View answerTuesday, 21 June 2022
Questions (851)
Written answers
This Government is committed to the introduction of measures to address period poverty, evidenced by the commitment made in the Programme for Government and by the actions taken more recently to progress the issue.
The Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper was published in February, 2021 and can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/264f4-period-poverty-in-ireland-discussion-paper-period-poverty-sub-committee-national-strategy-for-women-and-girls-20172020-february-2021/
Government has agreed that the recommendations of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper be taken into account and that cross-Government, inter-Departmental, interagency and societal support for implementation measures should be sought, including from voluntary and private sector organisations that provide services funded by the State, as well as from public service providers.
The recommendations of the Report include, but are not limited to, consideration of the provision of free period products in public buildings, through publicly funded services and in the context of education.
My Department has established a Period Poverty Implementation Group, with representation from most Government Departments, to achieve cross sectoral input and to co-ordinate oversight of implementation measures recommended in the Discussion Paper. It is envisaged that the work of the Group will address the indignity experienced by those who may need period products every month but cannot afford them.
The Period Poverty IG has now met on three occasions, in July and November, 2021, and in March, 2022. Various bilateral meetings have also been held between officials of this Department, other Government Departments, State agencies and NGOs.
In terms of implementation, the most urgent focus is on supporting those most in need (e.g., the homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers and Roma, and those experiencing consistent poverty). Funding of €0.71m was allocated for this in Budget 2022.
My Department has reached out to local authorities and to the NGO sector, seeking expressions of interest regarding projects that will improve access to period products.
To date, 27 Local Authorities have submitted Expressions of Interest, 26 SLAs have been finalised and 26 payments authorised by my Department. Initial progress reports are to be sought in June.
NGOs working with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and/or food poverty have been asked to submit expressions of interest with regard to period poverty projects; these will be evaluated following the 17th June deadline.
The HSE are also progressing design and implementation of a period dignity support programme for Travellers and Roma in Community Health Organisation 5 (CHO5, based in the South-East). Following initial positive results, additional supports will be offered to other CHOs to progress supports in Q3-4, 2022.