Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
814. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to Ireland’s ranking of 16 out of 46 countries on the European Contraception Atlas; if measures that improve this ranking can be taken including the provision of free contraception to 17 to 25 year olds will be implemented as promised in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11787/22]
View answerThe Contraception Atlas provides Ireland with a 65% ranking and advises that Ireland will be in a good position to move to the highest-ranking category once the free contraception scheme is in place.
The Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort; roll-out is scheduled to commence in August 2022.
The scheme will provide for:
The cost of prescription contraception;
The cost of a minimum of two consultations per annum with GPs and other doctors to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same;
The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;
The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;
Provision of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders through this scheme, to include contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.
It is therefore envisaged that the recommendations of the Contraception Atlas will be met in due course, starting with the 17-25 age cohort this year.
In the meantime, it should be noted that the costs of prescription contraception medications and/or medical devices are currently covered under the GMS scheme, for those holding a GMS (medical) card, while clinical costs are covered under both the medical and GP visit cards. For those not eligible for a GMS or GP Visit card, the total cost of prescription medication is capped under the Drugs Payment Scheme, which is being reduced from €100 to €80 per month. The Drugs Payment Scheme is open to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
