Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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978. To ask the Minister for Health the supports and information available to women who are experiencing menopause and perimenopause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10158/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is recommended that women who experience menopausal symptoms which they find difficult to deal with see their GP. GPs can offer treatments and suggest lifestyle changes if a woman has severe menopausal symptoms that have a significant impact on her everyday activities. Women who have a medical card are entitled to a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards (including consultant services), all out-patient public hospital services (including consultant services).

Menopause has also been identified as a priority under the Women's Health Taskforce. The Women’s Health Taskforce was established in September 2019 with the aim of improving women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare. The Taskforce has met nine times since it was established in September 2019. A number of initial priority areas for action were determined by the Taskforce in 2020, with the issue of menopause recognised and included as one of these priority areas.

Proposals for action have been developed under three priority areas: Improving Gynaecological Health for Women and Girls; Improving Supports for Menopause; and Improving Women and Girls’ Physical Activity. A programme of actions under these proposals is currently being confirmed, and further details will be shared following finalisation.

Implementation of actions will be supported by the Budget 2021 allocation of a dedicated €5million ‘Women’s Health Fund’. In 2021, the €5m Women’s Health Fund will deliver a programme of actions arising from this work, along with additional priority areas, including improving mental health supports for women and girls. A national awareness and education campaign will also be delivered to provide a trusted source of information and help normalise discussions about women’s health, which will include menopause. Further detail on this activity will be shared once it is finalised in the near term.

For further details of the current supports and information available to women who are experiencing menopause and perimenopause, this has been referred to the HSE.