Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
390. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered introducing a national policy on menstrual health education that includes conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31889/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMenstrual education is supported in the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum at primary level in a number of strands, including the ‘Myself’ and the ‘Knowing about My Body’ strand units.
Opportunities are also provided in the SPHE curriculum at both junior and senior cycle to address reproductive health including fertility and for further learning on menstruation. The HSE suite of resources developed to support the updated Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum includes a resource specifically developed to support menstrual health and wellbeing. The value and power of having this knowledge, and the confidence to share it, empowers young people to talk openly and appropriately about menstruation and reproductive health.
In addition, the 2025 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 and I intend to make progress in relation to this commitment.
Planning work is currently underway in the Department. It is anticipated that consultation with students and stakeholders on how best to progress the commitment and inform a practical solution for implementation will begin shortly.
Department officials continue to participate in the work of the inter-departmental group on period dignity led by the Department of Health and will continue work to ensure the Programme for Government commitment is progressed.
