Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
222. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education what specific measures are being taken to address menstruation-related absenteeism in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20733/24]
View answer223. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education what specific measures are being taken to address the severe effects period symptoms have on students' ability to participate, engage and learn in educational settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20734/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
The full participation of every student in their education is a key priority for my Department. Operating under Tusla Education Support Services, the Education Welfare Service works to support children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
The SPHE curriculum at primary and post primary level provides learning and support to assist students to manage their menstrual health. The HSE suite of resources developed to support the updated Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum includes a resource specifically developed to support menstrual health and wellbeing. The value and power of having this knowledge, and the confidence to share it, empowers young people to talk openly and appropriately about menstruation and reproductive health.
The Inspectorate in my Department has noted a number of schools who are leading on projects that distribute period products and period related information in support of menstrual health and wellbeing.
The Programme for Government includes the commitment to provide a range of free, adequate, safe, and suitable period products in all educational publicly-funded settings, to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty. An implementation group led by the Department of Health has been established to lead on this commitment, with representation from my Department.
Arising from the work of that group, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has established a new arrangement to supply products including personal hygiene, and period equality products. During development of this Framework, at the request of my Department, it was arranged that it can be accessed by any primary, post-primary, special or secondary school. While the products are not free of cost, the framework arrangements offer value for money and a high-quality service. Full details and a step by step guide on access and use of the framework is available at OGP buyerzone.gov.ie.
