Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
380. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide free contraception starting with women aged 17 to 25 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41058/20]
View answerThe Minister remains committed to the aim of expanding access to free contraception for women aged 17-25 as set out in the Programme for Government.
A Working Group report on Access to Contraception, published in October 2019, made clear that a sizable body of work would need to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach in this area and to bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements. The need to focus on and prioritise the response to the current pandemic has delayed and disrupted progress during 2020.
The Minister is committed to advancing Women’s Health and Wellbeing, and significant funding to promote women’s health was announced as part of Budget 2021, including investment in the maternity strategy, gynaecology services, screening services and the Women’s Health Taskforce.
