I am a grown woman and I would be really embarrassed if I had to ask the Tánaiste, as my superior, for a tampon. Luckily, here in Leinster House they are freely available in some of the bathrooms, although not all. Although I do not have to ask, many teenage girls must go to their teacher and ask for a tampon or period product, if they are lucky enough that their school supplies period products. In some cases, they are resorting to using newspaper or toilet roll. It is hard enough to concentrate in school without bleeding, bloating or cramping, never mind worrying about leaking. Unfortunately, this is still the case for some teenage girls across the country. On average, a woman uses 15 to 30 tampons or period products per week, at a cost of €3 to €5 per box. It is an average of €100 per year, which is around the cost of junior GAA membership. I welcome improvements in some public places. We now have period products in libraries and hospitals. I know there are two programme for Government commitments under education and health. There is a plan for all DEIS plus schools to have it by 2026 and for all schools to have it by 2027. Can we please put in that they would not have to ask a superior for a period product? They must just be freely available in bathrooms.

Sentiment score: 0.22