Hargey welcomes completion of the Period Products (Free Provision) Bill

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the completion of the Period Products (Free Provision) Bill as it passed its final stage in the Assembly today.

Hargey welcomes completion of the Period Products (Free Provision) Bill

The Bill will place a duty on The Executive Office to ensure that period products are widely available free of charge in public service premises including in education and health and social care settings.

The Minister said:

“Today, this Bill has reached an important milestone, completing its legislative passage through the Assembly. This is an important piece of legislation that will provide the basis for introducing vital support to tackle issues around period dignity. I am delighted that I have been able to lead as an Executive Minister on this important issue.

“I believe this is a matter of basic dignity and no-one should be prevented from going to school, college or work because they cannot access period products when they need them.”

The Bill will now go forward for Royal Assent and will become an Act in law in the coming months.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Bill gives powers to bring Regulations for public service bodies, who have a duty to ensure period products are widely obtainable free of charge in their premises. These regulations must include Health and Social Care Trusts; and any public service body whose premises is a school, a further education institution or a higher education institution.
2. More details on the bill can be located at www.niassembly.gov.uk 
3. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office 
4. Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow the Department on @CommunitiesNI

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