Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
757. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that a students’ union (details supplied) recently launched a petition calling for the Government to provide free period products in all higher education institutions, which has now almost 3,000 signatures; if he will commit to increasing funding in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16323/24]
View answer762. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will extend the roll-out of free period products to all higher education institutions including universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16537/24]
View answer763. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that the pilot project to provide free period products is extended to a permanent scheme and is put in place for all further and higher education institutions as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16542/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 757, 762 and 763 together.
The provision of period products in publicly funded educational settings is a Programme for Government commitment.
My Department has been involved in a number of initiatives to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period indignity. These include the following:
• worked collaboratively with the Department of Health and the OGP on the development of a drawdown contract for the provision of period products in education establishments and other public institutions.
• in conjunction with the ETBs, development of a pilot called ‘Worryfree’ which was rolled out to nine further education and training colleges across six Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The pilot delivered free, sustainable period products and dispensers for students in participating ETBs.
• active participation on the Period Poverty Implementation Group chaired by the Department of Health
As the Deputy may be aware, Higher Education Institutions have also been working to ensure free period products are available on campus, such as ‘Code Red’ in MTU, ‘Any time of the month’ in University Limerick (UL), Brigit’s Basket in the National College of Ireland (NCI). The End Period Poverty campaign in UCD. DCU & Mary Immaculate College (MIC) also have similar initiatives currently running. DCU have also devised a postal service for students who are unable to access the products on campus.
I expect to be making an announcement on this matter shortly.
