Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
334. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education the budgetary amount allocated to the provision of a range of free, adequate, safe and suitable period products in all educational publicly funded settings, including schools, for 2025; if the service will be continue to be funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14044/25]
View answerThe recently published Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes the commitment to provide free period products in schools to ensure no student is held back due to period poverty. I intend to make progress in relation to providing free period products and work in this area is being advanced.
My department is participating in the work of the inter-departmental period poverty group led by the Department of Health. Arising from the work of the inter-departmental group, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has established a procurement framework to supply cleaning paper, personal hygiene and period products across Governments departments and other bodies. During development of this Framework, at the request of my department, it was arranged that it could be accessed by any primary or post-primary school. The Framework is available at OGP (buyerzone.gov.ie). While the products are not free of cost, the framework arrangements offer value for money and a high-quality service.
It may also be helpful to note that the Schools Procurement Unit, the central support resource providing guidance and support to schools on procurement related issues, can be contacted by email at procurementsupport@spu.ie to assist with information on the Framework and how to engage with it.
My department will continue to participate in the work of the inter-departmental group and work to ensure the Programme for Government commitment is progressed.
