Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
1152. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that are in place to ensure every GP in Ireland is trained in the latest understanding and teachings on Menopause; the number of GPs licensed to practice in Ireland, by county; and the number of GPs who have completed menopause training in the past 12 months, by county, in tabular form. [72572/25]
View answerThe Women’s Health Action Plans 2022-2023 and 2024-2025, together with significant Government investment, have resulted in important improvements to women’s health services in Ireland. The work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and the implementation of these Action Plans have also increased awareness of many women’s health issues, both among the public and amongst healthcare professionals. Much work has been done to support women through their menopause journeys we have progressed various initiatives to enhance holistic and clinician supports available to women at both primary and acute levels. These include:
• A GP Clinical Lead for Women’s Health established 2021, to lead on the improvement of women’s health supports in the community.
• The development of a menopause theory course for GPs and GP trainees via the Irish College of General Practitioners.
• The development of a Quick Reference Guide on Menopause for GPs in 2022. The guide comprises of evidence-based information on the management of perimenopause and menopause in general practice by GPs and practice nurses.
• The launch, also in 2022, of a National Menopause Awareness campaign. This was a direct response to the demand from Irish women for greater knowledge and understanding of menopause as well as better access to accurate information and supports. A second phase of the campaign was relaunched in 2023 as part of the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Week.
• The launch of a dedicated webpage to provide trusted information for anyone affected by menopause in Ireland – gov.ie/menopause
• Six dedicated Specialist Menopause Clinics are open and operational for women who require complex, specialist care. Additional funding was provided under Phase 2 of the Women’s Health Action Plan to extend the provision of services in 4 of the Specialist Menopause Clinics.
• Since 1 June 2025, Hormone Replace Therapy for the management of the symptoms of menopause is now free, lowering the cost burden of menopause for women in Ireland. As the ICGP is body responsible for GP training and GP continual professional development, the Department of Health does not maintain a register of the number of GPs who have completed menopause training. As information on the number of GPs practising medicine by county is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy in relation to that as soon as possible.
