THOUSANDS of Irish women are in for a major boost as the free contraception scheme is set to be extended. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has revealed the expansion move will now make women aged 32 to 35 eligible for the free contraception scheme. Starting from 1 July, all women aged 17 to 36 will be covered under the scheme.
The extension has been supported by an additional €4million in funding through the Women's Health Fund. The move was made as part of the women's health action plan - with a total of €48million now allocated to the scheme for 2024. The scheme is open to women, girls and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and for whom prescription contraception is deemed suitable by their doctors.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with general practitioners, family planning, student health and primary care centres, and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Inbursement List. It also includes emergency contraception in addition to the oral contraceptive pill, patch and ring, LARC fittings, removals, injections and checks. Almost 2,050 pharmacies and 2,400 GPs are providing the services under the scheme, with more than 189,000 people accessing the scheme last year.
Health Minister Donnelly said: "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 m.
