Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced that from today, the Free Contraception Scheme has been expanded to include women and transgender individuals aged 32 to 35. This means that all women and those who identify as women aged 17 to 35 inclusive, are now covered under the scheme.
“It is available to women, girls and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and for whom prescription contraception is deemed suitable by their doctors,” the Department of Health said in a statement.
The Department explained that the service covers the cost of consultations with GPs, family planning, student health and primary care centres, and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Reimbursement List.
“Improving access to contraception is a Government priority and I’m delighted with the success of the Free Contraception Scheme to date,” said Minister Donnelly.
“Almost 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies offer services under the scheme, with more than 189,000 women accessing these services in 2023.
“Supported by approximately €48 million in funding for 2024, we’re now in a position to extend these services to women aged 32 to 35.
“We know that many women in this age group may be planning to start families, with 33 years being the average age to give birth. However, it is important that we continue to support women in providing equitable access to services that allow them to control their reproductive health, avoid unintended pregnancies, and to use hormonal contraceptives to treat adverse symptoms of periods.”
Notably, the Free Contraception Scheme was introduced in September 2022, initially for women and girls aged 17 to 25. It was then expanded to include 26 to 30-year-olds in 2023, and was further expanded to include women aged 31 in January 2024.
The scheme include contraception options such as “long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs)”.
“LARCs include injections, implants, and hormonal and copper intra-uterine devices and systems (coils),” the Department said in a statement.
“The scheme also includes emergency contraception in addition to the oral contraceptive pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and checks are also free of charge under the scheme.
“Prescriptions are dispensed at a local pharmacy of choice. If LARCs are chosen (coils and implants, for example), patients return to a service provider participating in the scheme to have the device fitted, and subsequently removed. All of these costs are fully covered by the State and are free of charge to the patient.
“From today, women who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and aged from their 17th birthday until the day before their 36th birthday will be eligible for free contraception under the scheme.”