Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
80. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to address period poverty; if she will introduce a scheme to provide free period products in all schools, ensuring that no student’s education or wellbeing is compromised due to lack of access to essential products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16276/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes a commitment to provide free period products in schools to ensure no student is held back due to period poverty.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the DEIS Plus Plan, which I announced on 25 March, includes an allocation to roll out free period products to DEIS Plus schools for the 2026/2027 school year.Further allocations will be sought in subsequent budgets to expand provision.
Arising from the work of the inter-departmental group led by the Department of Health, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) established a procurement framework that includes period products across Government departments and other bodies. During the 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.
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.
