Written answers

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Womans Health

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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708. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether she will consider, in collaboration with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, introducing or promoting workplace supports, including possible menstrual leave or flexible working arrangements, for those affected by severe menstrual-related conditions such as PMDD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32292/25]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to ensuring that workplaces consider the reality of employees’ lives and recognise that menstruation can be a key health issue for some women. The need for more awareness within the workplace of the impact of the symptoms of menstruation and related health issues is acknowledged by Government as necessary to promote changes in the culture, policies and practices in workplaces in order to lead to improvements in physical and mental health and wellbeing and work-life balance.

My Department will be commissioning research with a view to providing a range of advice to employers to better support employees suffering from severe menstrual symptoms or going through menopause. It will focus on understanding employees experiences of menstruation and menopause in the workplace and how symptoms limit their daily activities. It is planned that this study will begin later this year.

The next National Strategy for Women and Girls is currently in development and any research into workplace supports for those experiencing menstruation and menopause will be considered within this context.

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