Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
617. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has received the advice from the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the extension of the free contraception scheme to 16-year-olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22831/24]
View answerThe free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25, ordinarily resident in Ireland, was launched on 14th September, 2022. Its remit has been expanded gradually to include women aged from 17 to 31 inclusive, from January 1st, 2024. Approximately €44m has been allocated to support the scheme in 2024 and approximately 2,400 GPs, primary care, family planning and student health centres and 2,050 community pharmacies have contracts with the HSE to provide services under the scheme.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, primary care, student health 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.
Women who have had coils, IUDs, IUSs or implants inserted while eligible under the scheme will remain eligible for subsequent checks and free removal of any devices inserted, to ensure continuity of care.
The expansion of the free contraception scheme to include 16 year-olds is been considered carefully. We have engaged in a wide-ranging expert consultation, seeking views from a number of Government Departments and agencies, and from HSE clinical experts. The results of this consultation were shared, first with this Department's legal advisors and subsequently, with the Office of the Attorney General.
Final advice on the expansion of the scheme to 16-year-olds was received from DoH legal unit in late 2023 and from the AGO in 2024. The wider matter has been given further clinical consideration, as a result of issues raised over the course of this process and complexities likely to arise in the course of clinical implementation. Clinical experts have very recently provided additional advice in terms of recommended ways forward and a draft Model of Care. Inputs are currently being collated for formal submission in the coming weeks.
It is important to note that prescription contraception, while being very effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy, does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The National Condom Distribution Scheme supports both STI prevention and accessible contraception for men and their partners. Free condoms can be accessed through the national network of STI clinics, participating charities and NGO partners and on participating 3rd level campuses. Since 2023, free condoms have also been supplied with orders for free home STI testing kits.
