Free Period Products in Further Education & Training Sector

By Steven Galvin - Last update


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Free period products in the further education and training sector will be provided in all educational publicly-funded settings, including schools and third level colleges, to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty.

Nine colleges across 6 ETBs (Education and Training Boards) will be involved in this pilot initiative, which will see free, sustainable period products and dispensers for students. These are located in Longford Westmeath ETB; Tipperary ETB, Donegal ETB; Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB; Dublin Dun Laoghaire ETB; and Waterford Wexford ETB.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD said:

“The provision of free period products is a really important initiative. It seeks to ensure no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty.

“We have worked with our higher education partners to provide these products and today, we are taking another step forward by extending this important project to the further education and training sector.”

“This will be a really important tool in helping to address need, but also with a view to ending gender inequity and reducing stigma.”

“Today is International Women’s Day and it is important we take every step to ensure our female students are not disadvantaged in their studies.

“We have much more to do but I hope today sends a strong signal that we have listened to our students and we are willing to work with them to ensure their needs are looked after.”

Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD said:

“Access to education is rooted in the principles of equality and social inclusion, and it important that no one is left behind due to their socio-economic background, gender or other circumstances.

“I welcome this pilot initiative and hope it’s success will see it extended across the whole ETB network. No one should have their education disrupted because of period poverty.”

Director of Further Education and Training at ETBI, Dr Fiona Maloney, said:

“ETBI is delighted to launch the ‘Worryfree’ campaign today – on International Women’s Day 2022.

“We know that period poverty is a problem in Ireland and this campaign will help ensure learners can focus on their education and training programmes without having to worry about the cost of period products. We hope to see this pilot scheme prove successful and for the ‘Worryfree’ campaign to become a permanent fixture in every ETB in Ireland.”

 


Steven Galvin

International Women’s Day 2022 at NUI Galway
Diploma in Journalism at City Colleges


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