To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the discussions he has had with other Executive Departments in relation to ending period poverty; and (ii) his estimate of the number of school days lost by students who miss school because they cannot afford sanitary products.

My officials have liaised with colleagues in Department of Health, Communities, Economy and Justice on this issue. They will continue to do so through the cross-departmental working group co-ordinated by the Department of Finance.

Specific data is not available on the number of school days lost by students who miss school because they cannot afford sanitary products as pupil absences are not recorded in such precise terms.

The NI Executive's decision on 17 December 2020 to fund a pilot scheme to address period poverty in schools will help to address this issue. The scheme, which will make products freely available when needed, will support learners to confidently manage their periods in school.