Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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335. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to expanding the new HRT scheme to include the drug veoza; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55882/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Under the State-funded Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) arrangement, the current provision is for free HRT products for the treatment of menopause symptoms as this is the most commonly used treatment for managing menopausal symptoms and has shown to be the most effective intervention.

It is important to acknowledge that there are women who are contraindicated for the use of HRT in treating their menopause symptoms, and there are women who choose not to take HRT in some instances. In these cases, it is important to discuss options with a GP, or in some cases an oncologist, to decide the best course of action for the treatment of these symptoms.

Some women experiencing more complex symptoms, including those who are contraindicated for the use of HRT, may be referred to one of our Specialist Menopause Clinics for continued care free of charge.

There are no plans to expand the scope of this arrangement at this time.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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336. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, whether transgender men who have undergone oophorectomies are eligible for the scheme; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55900/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Under the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products, and the dispensing fees will be met by the State.

This measure is intended to support the management of the symptoms of menopause and, therefore, relates to the provision of treatment for the symptoms a specific medical condition/life stage i.e. menopause. HRT is the most commonly used treatment for managing symptoms of menopause and has shown to be the most effective intervention.

Menopause has been highlighted as a key priority area by the Women’s Health Taskforce. It is a key action in the Women’s Health Action Plans. A number of measures have been implemented in recent years to improve the experience of menopause for women in Ireland, including this HRT arrangement.

The diagnosis of any medical condition and the prescribing of treatment for said condition is a matter for a patient and healthcare provider to discuss.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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337. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, the reason for the distinction being made in the implementation of the free HRT scheme between women experiencing menopausal symptoms as a consequence of surgical removal of the ovaries, and women born without ovaries who are experiencing the same symptoms. [55901/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Under the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products, and the dispensing fees will be met by the State.

This measure is intended to support the management of the symptoms of menopause and, therefore, relates to the provision of treatment for the symptoms a specific medical condition/life stage i.e. menopause. HRT is the most commonly used treatment for managing symptoms of menopause and has shown to be the most effective intervention.

Menopause has been highlighted as a key priority area by the Women’s Health Taskforce. It is a key action in the Women’s Health Action Plans. A number of measures have been implemented in recent years to improve the experience of menopause for women in Ireland, including this HRT arrangement.

The diagnosis of any medical condition and the prescribing of treatment for said condition is a matter for a patient and healthcare provider to discuss.