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Do we need a programme to increase access to sanitary products for girls?

Around half of girls in Scotland had used socks and newspaper during their periods because they could not afford to buy sanitary products.

TWO OPPOSITION PARTIES have suggested that Ireland start a programme to improve access to sanitary products and increase awareness of menstrual hygiene among girls.

Earlier this month, the Scottish government announced that it would provide free sanitary towels to girls in schools and colleges to tackle “period poverty” – making it the first country in the world to do so.

The programme, which will cost £5.2 million to cater for 395,000 pupils and students was implemented partly because of  the UK’s high levels of VAT on sanitary products. There’s a VAT of 5% in the UK, the minimum allowed under EU rules, while in Ireland that rate is 0% (Ireland introduced their rate before EU legislation came into force).

According to the Guardian, a recent survey of more than 2,000 people by Young Scot found that a quarter of Scottish students at school, college or university struggled to access sanitary products. 

In Ireland, 50% of girls aged 12-19 responded to say they have experienced issues in paying for sanitary products, according to Plan International.

That same research found that 45% of girls in Scotland have used toilet paper, socks and newspaper during their periods because they could not afford to buy sanitary products.

Local representatives in Scotland said that the programme would contribute towards removing the stigma around periods. 

Labour Party equality spokesperson, councillor Deirdre Kingston said that in Ireland, “we know anecdotally that some schools and teachers provide sanitary products to students [on] an ad-hoc basis with no real structure”.

“The government should seek to follow Scotland’s lead and provide free sanitary products to all schools and colleges.”

The Scottish scheme totals in cost to just over €5 million, when you consider that the Government planned to spend €5 million per year on the Strategic Communications Unit, this would be a much more worthy spend for 2019.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on children and youth affairs, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee also agreed that the idea of a programme should be explored.

“It’s not unheard of that young women may have no choice but to go without sanitary products to make ends meet. Indeed, some households’ weekly budget cannot stretch far enough to afford the cost of these products; they are luxuries not certainties for too many.

Given the price of rent, the cost of student fees and general living expenses, college students too are running an exceptionally tight budget. It goes without saying that sadly women living in homelessness have severely limited access to these products.

She said she would raise the issue within her parliamentary party and in the Oireachtas when it returns in the coming weeks.

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jan 21st 2013, 2:01 PM

    “We are here for the Christians”. Hmm maybe the Algerians should have waited uh Damoclies? How many of the hostages were already dead before the Algerians went in? 20,30? How many more would have died waiting for that extra assistance?

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    Mute Damocles
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    Jan 21st 2013, 2:27 PM

    “Damoclies”

    I’m not even going to bother, that’s just childish.

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    Mute Patrick Lavery
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    Jan 21st 2013, 3:29 PM

    People..yuo think that as Europeans,the “Freedom fighter”you are dealing with or reading about has the same “euro” thoughtstream as yourselves..Ah No..In his Religeous zealot eyes..you are the problem to be eradicated..plus your wife,kids,extended family,neighbours in fact everybody who does not subscribe to his beliefs.

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jan 21st 2013, 5:03 PM

    And Japanese are buddhists!

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    Mute Sean Mee
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    Jan 21st 2013, 2:36 PM

    Regardless of British/American foreign policy, it is no justification to murder innocent workers. There is never a justification for terrorism.

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    Mute John Jordan
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    Jan 21st 2013, 5:21 PM

    Relax everybody, none of the oil or gas was damaged in the attack. Life goes on as normal.

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    Mute Dr_Serious
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    Jan 21st 2013, 6:06 PM

    You’re some moron

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    Mute John Jordan
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    Jan 21st 2013, 8:47 PM

    It was an ironic comment in fairness, on the general hidden price of oil and gas, but shur don’t worry

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    Mute Kevin O'Brien
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    Jan 21st 2013, 2:31 PM

    If the tenets of Islam or being a victim of big power politics were enough to drive a person to murder, then the world would be full of rabid Islamic fundamentalists. It’s not, so the logic behind both of your posts is faulty.

    Neither of you are taking into account personal responsibility. It takes a certain type of person to kill another human being in a premeditated assault. Any religious or political reasoning behind such an attack is just a flimsy attempt at justifying the unjustifiable. Quite simply, these people were monsters with no regard for life.

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    Mute John Jordan
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    Jan 21st 2013, 7:05 PM

    It was an ironic comment in fairness, on the general hidden price of oil and gas, but shur don’t worry.

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    Mute Mark Quigley
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    Jan 21st 2013, 2:21 PM

    Stupid comment. I think religion is to blame. Oh and American/British foreign policy.

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    Mute BrianFlaherty
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    Jan 21st 2013, 2:58 PM

    Kevin

    The Islamic world is full of muslims who will kill those who insult islam, the only reason the rest of the world isn’t , is because we are not all muslim yet and there are people willing to oppose it. I would like to see you say that in the various parts of England where in London muslim patrols are now going around telling people to cover up and others to stop drinking, they also previously blacked out body parts like legs of women on bus shelter posters etc. Of course lest we forget the directors and others killed for depicting islam in any way critical. I do not see that happening with any other religion. Get real.

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    Mute Vincent Kavanagh
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    Jan 21st 2013, 11:12 PM

    Its really getting that this will be a world war well a holly war hope im on the winning side :-)

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    Mute RiobairdOMaingain
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    Jan 22nd 2013, 6:10 AM

    The current trend of blaming financial woes on ‘foreigners’ such as in France,UK,Greece and slowly but surely Ireland and the rise of Far Right parties will be the start of the Third World War.Islamists must be crushed without mercy they thrive on the tolerance of the West.

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