Lidl is "doing something the Government should be doing" in providing free period products to women and girls, a Sinn Féin senator says.
Lynn Boylan believes the Government now just needs to "get on with it" and offer free sanitary products in schools and public buildings.
Lidl's announcement means people will be able to claim a dedicated coupon for a free box of sanitary pads or tampons per customer each month through the Lidl Plus app.
"I think we are getting it wrong," Ciara and Shane discuss period poverty on @NTBreakfast pic.twitter.com/FEtzSiHIUs
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) April 20, 2021
The retailer is working with Homeless Period Ireland and The Simon Communities in a bid to help women and girls affected by period poverty.
A Labour bill currently working its way through the Oireachtas could see period products free in schools here, similar to an approach being taken in Scotland.
Sinn Féin Senator Lynn Boylan told Newstalk Breakfast the Government is delaying and 'over-complicating' the move here by looking for more studies and research.
She said: “Just put the products in schools and public buildings and get on with it.
“Lidl has announced this, and I think it’s a fantastic initiative by them.
"They deserve to get all the credit - they stepped up to the plate in doing something the Government should be doing."
Senator Boylan said people expect toilet paper when they go into a bathroom, and it should be the same with period products.
The Sinn Féin politician says she doesn't believe people will exploit the system if the products are available freely.
She pointed to the evidence from South Dublin County Council - an Irish authority that does provide free sanitary products in their buildings.
She observed: “What they found is people just use them when they need them. I don’t think people Lidl will exploit Lidl on this.
“Lidl has done the maths on this: they know that those who need it will access the app and those that don’t won’t.”
