Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Not only that, but when women do express symptoms, they have often not been listened to. That was particularly evident to me in the new funding we have given from the women's health fund to cardiovascular care in particular yesterday, where there was an acknowledgment of bias in understanding symptoms and the way in which women describe them. The implementation is ongoing for the second women's health action plan for 2024-25. Our goal is to improve health outcomes and experiences for women and girls nationwide, and that has been supported by additional investment of over €180 million.

Specifically, as regards County Louth, significant investment has been provided to Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, for its maternity and gynaecology services, including the midwifery-led unit operational, with services extending to the community. Water birth services commenced in late 2023. Postnatal services are to be further developed in 2025.

Of course, it was one of the first hospitals to implement termination of pregnancy services. It has also had an ambulatory gynaecology clinic operational since late 2022. Within the Louth-Meath CAMHS service, two new advanced nurse practitioner posts have been approved specifically for eating disorders. This is a particular problem for young girls especially, as the Deputy has identified. Funding has supported the provision of free period products in buildings and facilities managed by Louth County Council. BreastCheck is also currently operating a mobile breast screening unit in Drogheda. There are 56 cervical screening contract holders in primary care in County Louth. I am committed to women's health action right across the country, but these are some specific examples. This is additional to women and girls in County Louth being the beneficiaries of the broader supports in relation to HRT yet to come and the cost of contraception supports.

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