What is period poverty?
Period poverty describes the lack of access to proper menstrual products and the education needed to use them effectively. This can mean not having appropriate access to the products needed during a period, such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, or pain relievers to help with cramps.
People may not have access to these products because of cost, or because of social or cultural reasons.
The potential adverse consequences of period poverty for women, girls, intersex, trans and non-binary persons who menstruate are widely accepted and can include exclusion from schools, work and activities of daily living during menstruation and physical and mental health impacts from the use of unsuitable period products.
People who experience homelessness, those from low-income households and people living in Direct Provision are some of the most likely to experience period poverty.
- To learn more about periods and menstruation, visit HSE Health A to Z: Periods
- For more information for young people, visit Spunout: Everything you need to know about your period
- Lidl Ireland in partnership with Homeless Period Ireland offer free period products in stores nationwide to women and girls across the country affected by period poverty.
- Register for the Period Product Support Programme here.
- Read the 'Period Poverty in Ireland: Discussion Paper Period Poverty Sub-Committee, National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017–2020'.
In 2023, the Department of Health (DoH) and HSE supported the provision of free period products for the Traveller Community, the Roma community and vulnerable groups, Local Authorities and non-governments organisations providing services for those living with addiction, homelessness, consistent poverty and other vulnerable groups.
Period poverty in Ireland was initially brought into focus by the publication of a Plan International Survey of 1,100 teenage girls, aged 12-19. The Survey identified 50% of girls as having occasionally experienced period poverty, and 10% as having used unsuitable products as a result. 61% had missed school on occasion because of their period.
Subsequent research undertaken as part of the Healthy Ireland Survey, 2022, has found that 24% of women have experienced at least one indicator of period poverty, with rates amongst those aged 15-25 reaching 35%. Meanwhile, 51% report being unable to take part in activities of daily living on occasion, as a result of period symptoms.
Through the Period Poverty Project, the Department of Health provides funding for Galway City Council for the provision of free period products in locations managed by the Council.
Free period products (tampons and sanitary napkins), are currently available in dispensers in bathrooms at the following locations:
- AMACH! LGBT - 1 Courthouse Square, H91 VF21
- Ardaun Roscam Doughiska Family Resource Centre, Cumasú Centre, H91 DKF7
- Ballinfoille Castlegar Neighbourhood Centre - Headford Rd, Galway, H91 PN50
- Ballybane Community Resource Centre – Castlepark Rd, Ballybane, H91 VP6D
- Ballyloughnane Beach Toilet - Ballyloughnane Rd, Galway
- Blackrock Changing Rooms - Salthill, Galway
- Bohermore Community Project – Bohermore Community Centre, Bohermore, H91 Y436
- Cape and shOUT! Youth Projects – 41-43 Prospect Hill, H91 E4W5
- Commercial Boat Club – Riverside, Woodquay, H91 FH61
- Crestwood Changing Rooms – Ballinfoille, Galway
- Eastside Youth Service UBU – Foroige, Cumasu Centre, Doughiska Rd, Doughiska
- Foroige Bohermore UBU - Bohermore Community Centre, Cookes Terrace, H91 Y436
- Galway City Hall - 10a College Rd, Galway, H91 F798
- Galway City Museum – Spanish Parade, Galway, H91 CX5P
- Galway City Partnership – Headford Rd, H91 KC6V
- Galway Lawn Tennis Club – Threadneedle Rd, Salthill, H91 E622
- Galway Rape Crisis Centre – 7 Claddagh Quay, The Claddagh, H91 WPF6
- Integration and SAUTI Youth Projects – 197 Castlepark Communtiy House, Ballybane, H91 A7X4
- Jigsaw – Victoria House, Eyre Square, H91 R9CH
- Knocknacarra Community Centre - Bóthar Cheapaí, Gaillimh, H91 R6PW
- Ladies Beach Changing Rooms - Salthill, Galway
- Leisureland – Rockbarton Rd, Salthill, Galway, H91 KT3V
- Liam Mellows GAA Club – Ballyloughnane, H91 K2T1
- Merlin Woods Sports Club – Cumasu Centre, H91 DKF7
- No. 4 Youth Service – 4 Augustine Street, H91 H992
- NO. 50 Ballinfoille Foróige – 50, Baile and Choiste, H91 YA38
- Rahoon Family Centre CLG – 44 DroimChaoin Bishop O’ Donnell Rd, H91 FX46
- Rahoon Newcastle GAA - Tonabrocky, Galway, H91 Y189
- Renmore Community Centre - Renmore Avenue, Galway, H91 W259
- Oranmore Community Centre - Dr Mannix Rd, Dublin Rd, Frenchfort, H91 AV2D
- Salthill Devon Football Club – Drom East, Salthill, H91 KP79
- Sexual Health West - 3rd Floor, 13 St. Augustine Street, H91 V3PV
- Silverstrand Beach Toilet - Galway
- South Park Pitches Changing Rooms - The Claddagh, Galway, H91 AE2C
- St. Josephs Community Centre – Ashe Rd, Shantalla, H91 A4VW
- Westside Community Centre - Seamas Quirke Rd, Galway, H91 R853
- Westside Resource Centre – Seamas Quirke Rd, Galway, H91 C1KX
- YWI Corrach Buí Centre – Rahoon, Galway, H91 HDH6