Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1524. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the period poverty initiatives being rolled out across 26 local authorities, as committed to in the women's health action plan; the number of local authorities taking part in the scheme to date in 2023; the way in which the scheme is being evaluated; and the steps that are being taken to address the prioritised groups as outlined in the plan, including women experiencing homelessness, women living with addiction, Traveller and Roma women, and women experiencing consistent poverty. [14007/23]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Following the publication of a Plan International Survey in 2018, which found that 10% of teenage girls were significantly impacted by period poverty, Private Members’ Motions on the topic were passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas and a sub-committee of the National Strategy for Women and Girls Strategy Committee was set up to consider the issue.

The resulting Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper was published in February, 2021 and can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/264f4-period-poverty-in-ireland-discussion-paper-period-poverty-sub-committee-national-strategy-for-women-and-girls-20172020-february-2021/

Government has agreed that the recommendations of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper be taken into account and that cross-Government, inter-Departmental, inter-agency and societal support for implementation measures should be sought, including from voluntary and private sector organisations that provide services funded by the State, as well as from public service providers.

The Department of Health has established an inter-Departmental Period Poverty Implementation Group ("IG"), with representation from most Government Departments, to achieve cross sectoral input and to co-ordinate oversight of implementation measures recommended by the Discussion Paper. The Group has now met on four occasions, most recently in December 2022. Various bilateral meetings have also been held between officials of this Department, other Government Departments, State agencies and NGOs and representatives of the Scottish Government.

The purpose of the IG is to implement the recommendations of the Discussion Paper; to improve access to period products for those who may need them, and to widen the knowledge base regarding the incidence and impacts of period poverty in Ireland.

In terms of implementation, the most urgent focus is on supporting those most in need (e.g., the homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers, Roma and refugees and those experiencing consistent poverty). Funding of €710,000 was allocated for this in Budget 2022; an additional €100,000 was allocated in 2023, with a split of €300,000 allocated to the HSE and €514,000 to the Department of Health.

The Department of Health and the HSE are progressing implementation of a period dignity support programme through HSE Social Inclusion, with a focus on Travellers and Roma; this commenced with a pilot programme in Community Health Organisation 5 (CHO5, based in the South-East) in 2022.

Following initial positive results, the HSE extended similar supports to other CHOs in the second half of 2022, with additional funding in 2023. Depending on numbers of Travellers and Roma in each CHO, some are also widening provision out to other vulnerable groups, working with community organisations and facilities.

The Department have also funded 26 Local Authorities and 16 NGOs directly in 2022, including family resource centres and charities working with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and/or consistent poverty, to progress period dignity projects.

Requests for 2022 reporting and expressions of interest for 2023 were issued in January and are currently being processed by the Department. All local authorities have been asked if they would like to participate in both 2022 and 2023.