Council tackles period poverty in Mayo with free sanitary products

Mayo County Council has been successful in securing €15,000 funding from the Department of Health for the roll-out of free sanitary products at 30 locations across the county in what represents a significant step towards addressing period poverty.

The provision of period products in public buildings is a recommendation of the draft ‘Period Poverty in Ireland’ report by the National Strategy for Women and Girls Committee.

Sanitary products will be available free of charge at a wide range of locations including Mayo County Council buildings, public libraries, family resource centres and selected community centres.

The project supports a wider national initiative focused on promoting dignity, inclusion and equality.

Joanne Grehan, director of services with Mayo County Council, welcomed the development.

She said: "This initiative reflects our commitment to social inclusion and community wellbeing. Access to sanitary products should never be a privilege.

"We are proud to work with local partners to make a real and practical difference in the lives of people throughout Mayo."

Austin Vaughan, Mayo county librarian, added: "Our libraries are proud to play a role in this important initiative. By making sanitary products freely available, we are helping to remove barriers and ensuring our spaces remain inclusive and welcoming to all."

Elmer Pieterse, Healthy County coordinator, said: "This is about more than hygiene — it’s about dignity, health, and equity. Through the Healthy Ireland Fund, we are working to support all members of our community, and this is a key step forward."

The initiative is part of Mayo County Council’s broader commitment to supporting health and wellbeing for all, in line with the national Healthy Ireland strategy.

For further information on this project please contact Elmer Pieterse, Healthy County Coordinator, on (094) 906 4378 or email epieterse@mayococo.ie.

PHOTO: Pictured at the announcement were, from left, Darina Molloy (Senior Executive Librarian), Emer Donoghue (Senior Executive Librarian), Deirdre Finnerty (Head of Community Engagement, Mayo County Council), Austin Vaughan (County Librarian, Mayo County Council), Cllr John O’Hara (Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council), Joanne Grehan (Director of Services, Mayo County Council), Elmer Pieterse (Healthy Mayo Coordinator, Mayo County Council), Ann Conway (Le Cheile Family Resource Centre), Mairead Carney (Senior Staff Officer, Mayo County Council).