Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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2882. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been brought to the exclusion of transgender women from the free HRT scheme (details supplied); if she will re-examine the guidance issued to pharmacies to ensure that transgender women are not excluded from the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42566/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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At present, the current provision under this measure is for free HRT products for the purpose of treating the symptoms of menopause, as diagnosed and prescribed by a registered healthcare provider.

The new Free HRT Arrangement, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, supports the Programme for Government commitment in “transforming women’s health” and supports our Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 which spotlights health outcomes of women at midlife and older “living well and living longer”.

Through the Women’s Health Action Plans implemented over recent years, a range of significant developments have taken place to improve supports for the treatment of menopause. These developments are focused on building capability and improving services at community level as well as developing the necessary specialist clinics. The actions include:

1. The appointment of a GP Clinical Lead for Women’s Health.
2. The development of training courses in Menopause for GPs and GP trainees via the Irish College of General Practitioners, to improve knowledge and understanding of menopause in the community care setting.
3. Evidence-based guidance support for GPs through the development of a Quick Reference Guide on Menopause.
4. A very successful National Menopause Awareness campaign which was accompanied by the launch of a dedicated webpage to provide trusted information for anyone affected by menopause in Ireland.
5. 6 specialist menopause clinics are now open for women who have complex experiences of menopause.
6. The removal of VAT from non-oral forms of HRT since 1 January 2023 has improved access for those who need it.
7. The development of the Civil Service Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework.

The new Free HRT Arrangement is the next step in this regard. Under this new measure, where any woman has been prescribed a Hormone Replacement Therapy product by her healthcare provider to alleviate the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause (including perimenopause), the cost of the HRT products, and the dispensing fees, will be met by the State.

In order to be eligible for this measure, a woman must:

Be signed up to the HSE Drugs Payment Scheme, unless you have a medical card.

Hold a valid prescription for HRT for the purpose of treating menopause symptoms.

It is important that a woman speak to their GP or healthcare professional about her symptoms and her options for treatment in relation to this new measure.