I propose to take Questions Nos. 1405 to 1407, inclusive, together.
The free contraception scheme for women was launched in September 2022, and is currently open to women aged 17-26 who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. The scheme will be expanded further, in September, to include women aged 30 and under. Funding through Budget 2023 was also allocated to expand the scheme to 16 year-olds, but this is subject to consultation across Government, legal advice and legislative amendment.
Approximately €32m has been assigned to support free contraception in 2023. Expansion beyond 2023 is a matter for the Estimates process leading to Budget 2024, and for Government decision.
As of Q4, 2022, over 2,200 GPs, primary care centres, family planning centres and student health clinics have signed contracts with the HSE to provide services under the free contraception scheme, with additional providers pending. Similarly, over 1,850 pharmacies are also participating. We have not been informed of any waiting lists pertaining to this scheme.
Data relating to the number of people accessing services under the scheme, the uptake of specific forms of contraception and specific services claimed under the scheme is currently being gathered by the HSE; records regarding the numbers of GPs, family planning clinics and pharmacies contracted under the scheme are also maintained. These data will of course be used to inform further development of this scheme.
With regard to the more detailed data collated by the HSE, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
