Changes, to come into effect from July 1, will see all women aged 17 to 35 covered under the free contraception scheme Women aged between 32 and 35 will be able to avail of free contraception as part of plans to expand the scheme from July 1. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly recently announced the expansion which means that, from next month, all women aged 17-35 will be covered under the Free Contraception Scheme. This extension has been supported by an additional €4 million in funding through the Women’s Health Fund under the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025, with a total of €48 million now allocated to the scheme for 2024.
Almost 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies are providing services under the scheme, with more than 189,000 women accessing the service in 2023. “Gender should not be a barrier to healthcare, and I firmly believe that the Free Contraception Scheme is a landmark initiative that empowers women, enabling them to make choices about their reproductive health without any financial burden,” the Minister said. “Demand for this service is evident, and we are responding to that demand by extending services to women aged 32 to 35 inclusive from July 1.
We know that many women in this age group may be planning to start families, with 33 years being the average age of a first-time mother. “However, it is important that we support all women in providing equitable access to services that allow them to control their reproductive health and avoid unintended .
