Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when period products will be available for free in all secondary schools, as per the Programme for Government commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66440/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The 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 continuing to work to advance delivery on this issue.

Arising from the work of the inter-departmental group led by the Department of Health,?the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) established a procurement framework that includes period products across Governments departments and other bodies. During development of this Framework, at the request of my department, it was arranged that it could be accessed by any primary or post-primary school. The Framework is available at OGP (buyerzone.gov.ie). The framework arrangements offer value for money and a high-quality service.

My department does not have a list of schools that have availed of these products to date as schools access the Framework directly via the OGP.

It may also be helpful to note 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 progressed.