Launch of public consultation on provision of free period products

A public consultation on the provision of free period products was launched today.

Graphic: Provision of free period products across NI

The consultation states that period products are essential items for personal care and should be available to everyone who needs them, regardless of their economic status.

To address this need, the Assembly passed the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (“the Act”). The Act places importance on respect for dignity and aims to remove financial barriers to accessing period products.

Launching the consultation, Siobhan Broderick, Director of Equality, Rights & identity within The Executive Office said:

“The Assembly recently made a ground-breaking piece of legislation called the Period Products (Free Provision) Act to remove financial barriers to accessing period products. This is an important piece of legislation that will provide the basis for introducing vital support to tackle issues around period dignity.

“We believe this is a matter of basic dignity. No-one should be prevented from going to school, college or work because they cannot access period products when they need them. To shape what this scheme will look like, the Department is now consulting with the public on what type of products should be available, and how and where they should be obtained.”

The consultation which runs for 12 weeks was launched on Monday 26 June 2023 and closes on Monday 18 September 2023.

The consultation document and details of how to respond can be accessed via the following link: www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-free-period-products

It is an online consultation, accessible through the following link: https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/teo/provision-of-free-period-products-consultation

Consultation responses

Notes to editors: 

1. Following engagement with a range of key stakeholders and colleagues working in this field locally and in other jurisdictions, the Executive Office is now seeking views in terms of what the provision of free period products should look like.

2. It is an online consultation, accessible through the following links:

• https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/teo/provision-of-free-period-products-consultation
• www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-free-period-products

3. Hard copies of the consultation document, and alternative formats, can be requested by sending an e-mail to: period.products@Executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

4. The deadline for responses is Monday 18 September 2023 at 11:59pm.

5. If you have any queries, please contact via E-mail: period.products@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk or Telephone: 028 9052 2907

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