Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Image Point Fr

Free contraception to be made available for young women

Two GP appointments per year relating to contraception will also be free.

THE IRISH PHARMACY Union (IPU) has welcomed the Government’s decision to roll out free contraception for women from next August but said the contraceptive pill must be made available to women without the need for a prescription.

In today’s Budget, it was announced that the contraceptive pill will be free of charge for women in that age cohort, but individuals will have to continue to pay the €1.50 prescription charge.

The cost of fitting and removing long-term contraception such as implants will also be free. Two GP consultations per year regarding contraception will also be free of charge for women in that age group.

The Journal reported last week that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly had been battling in Budget negotiations to ensure funding for free contraceptive distribution to women aged 17 to 25 would be made available.

Announcing the measure, Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said it was part of a “dedicated women’s health package” worth €31 million.

“This will include access to free contraception for women aged 17 to 25 from next August;  further investment in measures identified by the Women’s Health Taskforce; progress regarding the Period Poverty Implementation Group; additional funding for sexual assault treatment units and the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy and the gynaecology model of care,” he said.

Speaking following the announcement of Budget 2022, pharmacist and IPU President Dermot Twomey said, “Pharmacies have campaigned for the introduction of free contraception for many years. We welcome that this will now commence, initially providing access to women aged 17 to 25.

“However, it is essential that this service is available directly from pharmacies and without a requirement for prescriptions. Enhancing access in this way would improve uptake and eliminate GP visits that there is no clinical need for.” 

Key priority

Speaking to RTÉ two weeks ago, Donnelly said “a big priority for me is women’s health care. For example, next year, I want to see the rollout of funding free contraception”.

The rollout of free contraception is a key promise in the Programme for Government when it comes to women’s health. Former Health Minister Simon Harris had planned to deliver it in 2019, but the rollout never came to fruition.

A government working group in 2019 considered policies and legislation around improving access to contraception after the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment recommended free contraception be rolled out.

The report found that local access, cost, embarrassment, inconvenience and lack of knowledge were among the barriers to accessing contraception.

It highlighted that young woman and vulnerable groups should be prioritised when giving free contraception.

Additional reporting by Ian Curran

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
23 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louise Tracey
    Favourite Louise Tracey
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:08 PM

    That is great news

    173
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Cecil
    Favourite William Cecil
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 3:03 PM

    @Louise Tracey: have to agree. But still think more should be done. No vat on woman’s sanitary products would be a great step forward.

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Franny Ando
    Favourite Franny Ando
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 3:32 PM

    @Louise Tracey: It is but it should definitely include condoms. The pill doesn’t protect from S.T.I’s. Contraception should be for all not just women.

    89
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Harms
    Favourite Sam Harms
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 3:35 PM

    @William Cecil: there is no vat on sanitary products

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 6:58 PM

    @William Cecil: Tell that to the BBC, who in January celebrated the UK’s “removal of the tampon tax” as an apparent benefit of Brexit!

    https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55502252

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CCScience
    Favourite CCScience
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:22 PM

    Interesting they’re planning for free contraception for women of all ages from next year but what about men? Free vasectomies for couples who are sure their families are complete? Significantly less expensive to the state than providing years worth of additional contraception to women and a lot less side effects. Not for every couple bit could be an excellent fit for many…

    120
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thunder Snowman
    Favourite Thunder Snowman
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:43 PM

    @CCScience: There’s always one.

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B Collins
    Favourite B Collins
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:52 PM

    @CCScience: I imagine only a very small percentage of sexually active people will seek out vasectomies as a form of regular/day-to-day contraception.

    36
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Butterly
    Favourite Shane Butterly
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:54 PM

    @CCScience: They are only providing for ages between 17 and 25. Not of all ages

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Franny Ando
    Favourite Franny Ando
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 3:33 PM

    @Shane Butterly: They should be providing condoms as well.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B Collins
    Favourite B Collins
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 5:10 PM

    @Franny Ando: I believe these are often provided for free in sexual health clinics.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Franny Ando
    Favourite Franny Ando
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 6:39 PM

    @B Collins: Thanks wasn’t aware of that:).

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CCScience
    Favourite CCScience
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 8:51 PM

    @B Collins: for sure but the point I made specifically calls out couples who’s families are sure they don’t want any more kids. I’m in my 30′s and have a few friends who have gone down this route because it’s a minor procedure performed in a GPs office and frees women from using hormonal contraception until they reach menopause, inconvenient and raises risk of breast cancer. Condoms for sure should be free too, the point is that there should be some option available rather than restricting to female hormonal contraception only.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CCScience
    Favourite CCScience
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 8:56 PM

    @Thunder Snowman: You don’t believe that couples who are planning this should get it for free? I’m not saying more men should get vasectomies, I’m saying that for couples with finished families who want permanent contraception, they should also be able to access this for free given its a GP-provided service Iieu and will cost even less than hormonal contraception plus the two GP visits per year. I don’t see why that’s controversial to be honest. But I’m guessing you didn’t misunderstood my point.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter B
    Favourite Peter B
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:19 PM

    Good to see health coming before religion. This is progress.

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jo mcl
    Favourite Jo mcl
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:10 PM

    Great news

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Fender
    Favourite Fred Fender
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:17 PM

    It is great the goverment are in tune with the people of Ireland.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 6:56 PM

    @Fred Fender: Or, at least the young female voters aged between 17 and 25? It’s progress of a sort.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Madra
    Favourite Madra
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 3:06 PM

    What about condoms for guys?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Campbell
    Favourite Alan Campbell
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 3:45 PM

    @Madra: in our local you can get 10 out if the machine for E3. So u can’t afford e3

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter B
    Favourite Peter B
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 5:11 PM

    @Alan Campbell: great! a years supply for 3€

    39
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Shepherd
    Favourite Paul Shepherd
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 6:57 PM

    @Alan Campbell: €3 for a year’s supply sounds like a deal to me!!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dr. Emmett Lathrop
    Favourite Dr. Emmett Lathrop
    Report
    Oct 12th 2021, 2:12 PM

    This is great, but implies contraception is only a woman responsibility…

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds