Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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412. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the free HRT scheme; the reason for the delay; if back payments to January 2025 will be made to women who qualify for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18293/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Health, I am committed to the implementation of the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure announced in Budget 2025 and reaffirmed in the new Programme for Government: Securing Ireland's Future.

My Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) has engaged extensively with the Irish Pharmacy Union in relation to the practical rollout of this measure.

When operational, this measure will cover any HRT medications and products which are reimbursable by the HSE, which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause.

Reimbursement support for this new HRT measure will be available to participating pharmacies from the date the measure formally commences.

I am actively engaged on the matter with the goal to introduce this measure as soon as possible.