Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 September 2019
199. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if vending machines will be installed to supply students in both primary and post-primary schools and colleges with free sanitary products; if his attention has been drawn to the increasing numbers of students who are struggling with period poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37206/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls has recently established a sub-committee on period poverty. My Department is participating on the sub-committee, which is chaired by the Department of Health. The sub-committee will examine available evidence to establish the prevalence of period poverty in Ireland, the populations at risk of experiencing such poverty and the identification of measures to address period poverty. The sub-committee, which held its first meeting earlier this month, will, in due course, report back to the main Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls.
The installation of vending machines in a school is a matter for a school’s Board of Management and school leadership to consider. I understand that sanitary products are currently available in a number of schools.
