Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In recent years, we have delivered significant improvements in our country's approach to women's healthcare. The repeal of the eighth amendment was a landmark decision and the recent budget announcement to provide free contraception to young women was welcome, but women's healthcare goes far beyond contraception and family planning. Menopause can be a challenging time for women physically, mentally and, according to studies, professionally. In 2019, the women's health task force recommended that we needed to improve supports for menopause. Many women find that hormone replacement therapy, HRT, is a lifeline throughout menopause but that the cost can be a barrier to access. Last week, a constituent of mine sent me a copy of her bill for €62.33 for a month's supply of HRT with the comment, "It really still is a man's world". What is the Government doing to improve menopause supports for women and does the Taoiseach have an update on the commitment by the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to establish dedicated specialist menopause clinics across Ireland?

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