WOMEN’S HEALTH
Free contraception scheme expanded to 17-30-year-olds
The scheme was expanded in January to include 26 year-olds
September 5, 2023
-
Tthe free contraception scheme has been expanded to include women aged 27 to 30 years, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced.The free contraception scheme is open to women, girls and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and for whom prescription contraception is deemed suitable by their doctors.The scheme, which was launched in September 2022 for those aged 17-25, was expanded to include 26 year-olds on January 1, 2023. It is now being made available to all women aged 17-30 inclusive.Minister Donnelly said: "I am delighted to announce the expansion of the free contraception scheme to those aged 27 - 30 years. Ireland has come a long way in terms of the supports it offers for sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equity and family planning."The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, family planning, student health and primary care centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List. These options include long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs).LARCS include injections, implants and hormonal and copper intra-uterine devices and systems (coils). The scheme also includes emergency contraception in addition to the oral contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and checks are also free of charge under the scheme.Prescriptions are dispensed at a local pharmacy of choice. If LARCs are chosen (for example: coils and implants), patients return to a service provider participating in the scheme to have the device fitted, and subsequently removed. All of these costs are fully covered by the State and are free of charge to the patient.In addition to its primary use, hormonal contraception also plays a key role in treating adverse symptoms, such as pain and heavy bleeding, that can be associated with periods.Almost 2,400 GPs and 1,950 pharmacies have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date. Approximately €31.5 million was allocated to support the scheme in 2023.