Retailer Lidl has said it has provided more than 80,000 free period products as part of efforts to combat period poverty.
The German supermarket chain's Irish operation became the first in the world to take such a step in April last year.
Since then, customers with the Lidl Plus app have been able to apply for tokens to get 65,000 products free of charge.
Lidl says it has also donated 15,000 sanitary products to Simon Communities of Ireland to reach those who may not have access to a smartphone, and through their partners at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).
JP Scally, CEO of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "65,000 free period products redeemed in seven months is the highest level of redemption for any in-store initiative that Lidl Ireland has ever experienced.
"We’re not afraid to back issues, to break stigmas and to challenge the norm to help build a better workplace, a better environment and ultimately a better society for us all. We are committed to keeping the discussion front and centre."
Period poverty is defined as the lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints. Its impact is particularly acute among women experiencing homelessness and addiction.
Claire Hunt, CEO of Homeless Period Ireland commented: "Lidl's support for eliminating period poverty in Ireland has created a lightning rod of conversation across the media, political sphere and indeed across the country. Research shows that one in every two people know the issues that we face when it comes to accessing period products in Ireland for those who are struggling."
A Government report published last February revealed Irish women and girls spend an average of €96.72 per year on period products, and about €121 per year when pain relief was included.
In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products free for all. New Zealand followed suit last year, offering free period products in its schools. In Ireland, the Period Products (Free Provision) Bill 2021 is currently before Seanad Éireann.
