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Poll: Should contraception be free?

Research has found that people are having difficulty meeting the costs of contraception. Should Ireland follow the lead of other countries and make all contraception available free of charge?

IRELAND HAS SOME of the highest prices across the EU when it comes to contraception.

Research suggestions that the recession is making it increasingly difficult for people to afford contraception: a new study by the Dublin Aids Alliance has found that a large number of young people have cited the cost of contraception as the reason why they had unprotected sex in the past year, while the Irish Family Planning Association found that women were using less effective forms of contraception because they could not afford the cost.

Countries such as England already offer free contraception to all citizens. However opponents argue that the cost to the State would be too much at a time when resources are already being squeezed in all areas.

So today we’re asking:  Should contraception be free?


Poll Results:

Some contraception should be free but not all (1989)
Yes, all contraception should be free (1399)
No, people should have to pay (1151)
Don't know/not sure (368)

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    Mute Jim Lingk
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    Feb 4th 2021, 7:55 AM

    Who’d have thought?

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    Mute Ainm
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    Feb 4th 2021, 10:18 AM

    Amazed that the Journal are even covering this as it doesn’t whip up fear about Covid.

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    Mute Damo
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    Feb 4th 2021, 10:24 AM

    @Ainm: yep the article is only up 3 hours and only a handful of comments

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    Mute NJ
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    Feb 4th 2021, 7:31 AM

    Sounds like a qualitative assessment of a situation that needs quantitative data. Too much potential bias in the judgement. I’m not arguing the point, I’m just arguing how it was made. If he wants more resources or for something to change he needs to gather evidence and present it appropriately. If he came on and said I’m now seeing xx% more patients compared to xx then this argument would carry more weight.

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    Mute Will
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    Feb 4th 2021, 8:35 AM

    @NJ: We need the likes of Dr Korpanty on the front line dealing with patients. It’s up to the HSE to research this properly but with everything that’s going on I can’t imagine it’s a priority. Articles like the above might at least start the conversation. It’s not a data driven argument fair enough but he makes some good general points.

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    Mute NJ
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    Feb 4th 2021, 11:22 AM

    @Will: if everyone screamed without evidence resources would be given to those who shout loudest rather than to those who need it most.

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    Mute Kieran Hayes
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    Feb 4th 2021, 10:01 AM

    He should be focusing on Coronavirus only (sarcasm)

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