Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Lynn BoylanLynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My request is that the Seanad receive an update on the status of the provision of universal period products. It is over a year since a cross-party motion was passed in the Dáil calling for the provision of free period products in all public buildings, including schools, universities, direct provision centres, hospitals and prisons. Yesterday, Scotland became the first country to provide universal access, and I hope Ireland will follow as soon as possible. Some measures have been taken at local authority level, in Dublin City Council and by my colleague, Deputy Ward, in South Dublin County Council when he was mayor. Period poverty is very real. Yes, part of addressing period poverty is addressing the wider issue of poverty and deprivation in this country. Period poverty is also the outworking of our attitudes towards women and girls. Nobody bats an eye when they go into a bathroom and there is a toilet roll provided. In fact, people are very quick to point out if it is absent. However, despite the fact that periods are a normal bodily function, we have a situation whereby it is seen as shameful and something that should be hidden away. We see tampons slipped up the sleeve, discreet packaging and adverts that show blue ink to avoid embarrassment. The provision of period products in public buildings would help to break down the stigma, and it must go hand in hand with an education module in schools that is inclusive of all students. We have seen what happens when one separates students, as in the Carlow situation.

A study conducted by Plan International found that six out of ten young women reported feeling embarrassed about having their period and 50% find it difficult to afford the products. That situation has been exacerbated during the pandemic. I give credit to Homeless Period Ireland and its amazing volunteers who ensured that period products were still delivered to the direct provision centres, food banks and homeless shelters despite their drop-off points being closed during the restrictions. I request that we get an update on where the motion is going and when we will have universal period products for all of our women and girls.

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