Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
1267. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to respond to the National Women's Council's research report on the free contraception scheme (details supplied); if she intends to implement its recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30868/26]
View answerWomen’s health is a priority for me and my Department.
The Free Contraception Scheme (FCS) was launched in September 2022. Its remit has been expanded gradually to include women aged from 17 to 35 inclusive, with the most recent expansion taking place from July 1st, 2024. Approximately €44m is allocated to support the scheme in 2026.
The NWCI Report was completed with funding and support from my Department’s Women’s Health Fund and Women’s Health Taskforce. In conjunction with the results from the representative Healthy Ireland Survey, 2025, which included a module on contraception and family planning, the outcomes and recommendations of the Report will be used to consider how best to further develop and support the Free Contraception Scheme into the future.
Many of the barriers cited in the scheme are subject to ongoing efforts to resolve them, for example, a need to increase GP numbers and capacity is well recognised and is being supported in a number of different ways. Work is ongoing to develop contraception prescribing in pharmacies as outlined in the Community Pharmacy Agreement. This measure should enable many patients to access repeat prescriptions through their local community pharmacy, while also freeing up GP capacity.
Other issues will be addressed via improved information, education and targeted communications and via better access to training for healthcare professionals delivering care in the community; many of these may be manageable under existing resourcing structures. Work is ongoing to implement the National Sexual Health Strategy, which includes a wide range of actions supporting research, information, education and communications.
There are commitments in the Programme for Government, National Sexual Health Strategy and other policy documents that support continuing the phased approach to continued expansion of the scheme's age range, within the term of this Government. As the Deputy is aware, progressing these are a matter for the Estimates process each year.
The Report’s findings are very valuable in terms of providing recommendations to tackle remaining barriers to accessing contraception, and to reduce inequality, in line with the principles of Sláintecare and the Public Sector Duty. I would like to thank the NWCI and the TCD research team and the Advisory Group for all of their hard work in developing, drafting, reviewing and launching this invaluable Report.
