Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Questions (136)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

136. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the free provision of contraception will be rolled out as recommended in the ancillary recommendations in the report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2077/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Work is continuing on the implementation of the ancillary recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. This includes exploring issues associated with enhancing access to contraception, with a view to developing evidence-based policy in this area.

Preparations are ongoing for the initial expansion of free access to condoms in 2019. Condom use has the advantage of reducing both crisis pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.