Written answers

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2117. To ask the Minister for Health if an implementation group has been established to oversee the design and roll-out of a State-funded contraception scheme; if relevant stakeholders have been invited to participate in such a group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36573/21]

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, a Working Group was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland.

The Group’s high-level report, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers, noting that any policy proposal must focus on accessibility, education, and workforce capacity as well as cost.

A sizable body of work remains to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach, bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements.

It is however important to stress that my Department and this Government remain committed to providing free contraception over a phased basis, starting with women aged 17 – 25, as set out in the Programme for Government.

Progress on these issues has unfortunately been delayed until recently, given the need to focus on and prioritise the response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Department is currently assembling a Contraception Implementation Group, which will commence work imminently.

Some access to free contraception is already enabled, through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which was established by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in October 2015.The NCDS functions as a central point for distributing free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations working with individuals and groups at increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes.

These include migrants; young people; gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM); sex workers; people living with addiction issues and people living with HIV. From 2017 to the end of 2019, the number of organisations ordering from the NCDS has doubled.

The service was extended to 3rd level institutions in late 2019. Third-level institutions can now order condom dispensers from the HSE, which enable the provision of free condoms and sexual health information to students on campuses nationwide. The SHCPP advises that 3rd level institutions will be contacted, prior to the commencement of on-campus attendance in September, with regard to their engagement with the NCDS.

Information leaflets are provided with the condom dispensers, which outline to students how to use condoms correctly, and emphasise the importance of using condoms consistently and every time sex happens. The information leaflets direct students to HSE - led and HSE-funded websites for further information about sexual health and wellbeing; www.sexualwellbeing.ie and www.man2man.ie.

It should be noted that, while oral contraception and various forms of long-acting reversible contraception can be more effective at preventing pregnancy, condoms provide protection against STIs that is not provided by non-barrier forms of contraception.

It is envisaged that continued expansion of the NCDS will be facilitated in line with demand, in order to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and meet the sexual health promotion needs of people living in Ireland.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.