Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber and I thank him for responding to this matter. It is fitting that we are here today to talk about access to contraception given that tomorrow, 26 September, is World Contraception Day.

As the Minister is aware, a working group on access to contraception was established in April 2019 by the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to consider the policy, regulatory and legislative issues relating to enhancing access to contraception following the recommendation of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. That working group produced a report almost 12 months ago. The report identified various barriers to accessing contraception. In particular, there are significant barriers relating to choice of contraception and accessing the most effective form of contraception.

While the cost of delivering this universal free contraception was estimated by the group to be in the region of €80 million to €100 million a year, it emphasised that considerations which go beyond purely economic considerations needed to be taken into account when accessing this scheme.

Provision of universal free contraception in particular negates the harmful consequences of crisis pregnancies. Those harmful consequences would be avoided if universal free access to contraception was introduced in Ireland. However, the working group outlined three alternatives to full universal access if that was the concern of the Government of the day. First, a universal State-funded contraception scheme based on the GMS scheme but including the copper coil; second, the expansion of the GMS scheme as it relates to long-acting, reversible contraception, to be available to all women; and, third, a phased approach to the introduction of free contraception beginning with younger women in the 17 to 24 year age group. The group estimated that that would cost in the region of €18 million to €22 million a year.

The then Minister, Deputy Harris, told the Dáil in October 2019 that free contraception would be available at the beginning of 2021. The programme for Government commits to providing free contraception over a phased period starting with women in the 17 to 25 year age category. Can the Minister of State outline the work that has been undertaken to establish this State-funded contraception scheme to date? Can he give a clear timeline for the implementation of the programme in its entirety because it is urgently needed, although I am aware legislation will be required to introduce this contraception scheme?

Detail is also needed on how and when free contraception will be available to all women, not only those in the 17 to 25 year age category. Women's contraceptive needs do not stop in their mid-20s. Barriers to accessing contraception are not only experienced by younger women. We know from the UK abortion statistics relating to 2018 that 69% of Irish women who accessed abortion care in England and Wales that year were over the age of 25.

Choice of contraceptive methods is empowering for women and it will be critical to the success of any scheme. I hope the Minister of State will confirm that the State-funded contraception scheme will provide access to all methods of contraception.It is crucial that long-acting contraception methods, such as coils and implants, be accessible to all. It is important to remember that not every contraceptive works for, or is suitable for, every woman. Women's contraceptive needs change over time so it is important that the Minister of State confirm to us today that all methods of contraception will be included in the scheme.