Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

My view is that it would have been best if we had free contraception available in 2020. I take it from the Minister's reply that is not the intention of the Government. He seemed to indicate it is his intention for 2021. Specifically, is the Minister saying that he aims to see the introduction of free contraception in this State in 2021? I ask him to comment on that. Currently, in terms of free contraception, there are prescription costs and GP fees. GP fees and prescription costs need to be removed from the equation. It should not be necessary to go to a GP to get a prescription to avail of contraception in many cases. Is it a definite aim to have free contraception in 2021? What about the question of GP fees and prescription costs?

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