Willie O'Dea
Question:1121. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of family planning centres in the country to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35760/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (1121)
Written answers
The free contraception scheme, which covers prescription contraception, was introduced in September 2022 for women ordinarily resident in Ireland and aged between 17-25. The scheme was extended to women aged 26 from 1 January 2023.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme.
Almost 2,400 GPs and other primary care providers, and almost 1,900 pharmacies, have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date. Approximately €32m was allocated to support the scheme in 2023. The scheme will be expanded further, from September 1st, 2023, to include women aged 30 and under.
The HSE manages the contracts with GPs, family planning centres, student health centres and other primary care providers contracted under the free contraception scheme and any other relevant State funded services.
The HSE are therefore best placed to provide information with regard to the numbers of specialist family planning centres involved in State funded service provision. It should be noted that, as family planning centres are private contractors; the HSE will be able to provide information on the number of family planning centres contracted to provide State funded services only.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.