Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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247. To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made to ensure funding for free contraceptive distribution; if it will be made available in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47031/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Following the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, a Working Group on Access to Contraception 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 report, which was published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers.

The report is available online at: assets.gov.ie/38063/89059243e750415ebf7e96247a4225ae.pdf

‎The findings of this report made clear that a sizable body of work needs 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. 

The need to focus on and prioritise the response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has unfortunately delayed progress on this issue. 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.

Accordingly, a Contraception Implementation Group has been established within my Department, which held its first meeting in July and is currently actively working to progress implementation of this Programme for Government commitment as a matter of urgency; contraception is currently a Ministerial priority.

In the meantime, access to free contraception is already enabled to some contexts, 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. The NCDS was expanded to 3rd level campuses in 2019 and will continue to operate in this context as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and students return to in-person tuition.

It should also be noted that those with a GMS (medical) card already have access to most forms of contraception, subject only to the €1.50 prescription charge. Those with a GP visit card are supported to some extent as the clinical consultation cost of contraception is reduced. The Drugs Payment Scheme, for which anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland is eligible, covers the cost of prescription items above a limit of €114 per month. 

However, I am very conscious that, for those who do not qualify for a GMS (medical) card, cost can be a barrier to accessing their preferred or most appropriate form of contraception.  As such, Minister Donnelly, myself and our Department remain committed to providing free contraception over a phased period, starting with women aged 17-25, as set out in the Programme for Government.

Funding allocations for the health sector in 2022 will be announced on Budget Day as per usual practice.