Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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733. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she will ensure all schools are provided with free period products to ensure no student is held back due to period poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12349/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The 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.

My department is participating in the work of the inter-departmental period poverty group led by the Department of Health. I intend to make progress in relation to providing free period products and work in this area is being advanced.

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. The Framework is available at OGP (buyerzone.gov.ie). During development of the Framework, at the request of my department, it was arranged that it could be accessed by any primary or post-primary school. 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 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 advanced to ensure no student is held back due to period poverty.