Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
334. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health how he intends to ensure that people on lower incomes who are not entitled to a medical card are in a position to purchase emergency contraception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43234/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free contraception scheme, initially open to women and girls ordinarily resident in Ireland and aged 17-25, was launched on 14th September, 2022. The scheme was later expanded to include 26 year-olds on January 1st, 2023 and women aged 27-30, inclusive, on September 1st, 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.
Emergency contraception is included in the scheme and is therefore free of charge for those aged 17-30 who are ordinarily resident in Ireland.
Contraception, including emergency contraception, is available at very low cost, subject only to the prescription charge of €1.50 per item, through the GMS (medical) card scheme, for women who qualify for GMS cards but who are outside the age-range for the free contraception scheme. The extension of the GP visit card to those earning no more than the median income will remove the cost of attending GP appointments for those eligible. The Drugs Payment scheme also limits the total cost of prescriptions per calendar month to €80.
It is also envisaged that wider access to more reliable methods of contraception, free of charge, through the free contraception scheme, may reduce demand for emergency contraception.
Finally, bearing in mind that prescription contraception does not prevent STI infections, access to condoms, free of charge, is also enabled through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which distributes through the public network of STI clinics, NGOs working with high-risk groups, participating higher education institutions and with free home STI testing.
