Moynihan secures €100K in DCC budget for free sanitary products
Following a successful pilot, the Labour Party’s Rebecca Moynihan has secured €100,000 for period products to be made available for free in Dublin City Council.
Councillor Moynihan said:
“Last year Dublin City Council approved measures I proposed to provide free sanitary products in DCC buildings such as offices, swimming pools and community centres.
“Following a pilot period where this initiative was trialed and was a success, at the Dublin City Council Budget 2020 meeting, I secured €100,000 to extend free sanitary products to DCC buildings across the city.
“With over 50% of young women and girls struggling to afford products; homeless women not being able to afford or indeed access sanitary products regularly and women in direct provision having to fight to get adequate products, it is so important that this initiative has received cross-party from councillors on Dublin City Council.
“Dublin will be the first city in Ireland to introduce free period products in council buildings. The success of the pilot and the money that has been allocated can be used as a template for other councils across the country to follow suit.
“It’s now up to the Government to follow suit and introduce their own deliverable measures on reducing period poverty.
“If the Government were serious about eradicating period poverty they could take two serious actions in the next budget. Firstly, they could introduce free sanitary products in schools. Its is a scandal that young girls are missing school because they cannot afford sanitary products. Secondly, the Government should examine the VAT on sanitary products that aren’t pads and tampons. Having a broad choice of products available at a lower price point benefits all women.
“Periods are not a luxury for women and girls. It is a part of everyday life and we need to make life easier for those who may be vulnerable positions.”