Written answers

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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154. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider extending access to free contraception to all persons that request it as per the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution; the forms of contraception that will be available under the scheme; if he will consider a choice of contraception and for the scheme to be introduced ahead of the August 2022 target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50843/21]

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort.

Accordingly, funding for free contraception, starting with women aged 17-25, has been allocated in 2022. The initiative is gradually being introduced by age cohort, starting with younger women who are least likely to be financially independent and where cost has been shown to be a greater barrier to access contraception.

The scheme will provide for:

- The cost of prescription contraception;

- The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception and administration of contraceptive injections plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;

- The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove long-acting reversible contraception;

- The cost of a maximum of two consultations per annum with GPs and other doctors to discuss forms of contraception suitable for individual patients and to enable prescription of same.

It is envisaged that a wide range of contraceptive options, currently available to medical card holders, will be made available through this scheme. This includes contraceptive injections, implants, various types of intrauterine system (IUS) or device (IUD; commonly known as the coil), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill.

In order to give time to bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements through the appropriate areas of the healthcare system, it will not be possible to introduce the scheme ahead of the August 2022 target.

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