Cathy Bennett
Ceist:139. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the reason the free contraception scheme excludes women older than 35 years-of-age. [28449/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 April 2026
Ceisteanna (139)
Freagraí scríofa
The Free Contraception Scheme is delivered by over 2,450 GPs and 1,900 pharmacies, nationwide. Approximately €44m has been allocated to support the scheme in 2026.
The Scheme is currently open to women aged from 17 to 35 inclusive. There is no public health reason to limit eligibility by age, up to age 55 (after which, prescription of contraception is not typically clinically recommended).
Phased introduction of the scheme was recommended for other, practical reasons.
Our Public Spending Code recommends pilot testing or phasing of demand-led schemes, in order to manage costs. Free contraception was therefore introduced for younger age cohorts first – they are at higher risk of unplanned pregnancy and less likely to be financially independent.
GP capacity to fit coils and implants, which requires specialist training, was estimated at 1,000 appropriately trained GPs in 2019 (Report of the Working Group on Access to Contraception, 2019). The phased approach has allowed support for increasing training and service delivery capacity; the Irish College of General Practitioners, who are funded to provide relevant training to GPs, advise that approximately 185 certificates for GP training in appropriate administration of coils and/or implants have been issued since 2024 alone.
Further capacity is necessary; in addition to their contraceptive function, coils and implants are used to treat menstrual symptoms such as irregular periods and heavy bleeding, which become more common in peri-menopause. The Healthy Ireland Survey, 2025, found that demand for coils and implants rises in women over 35. Legislation to enable pharmacy prescription of short-acting contraception under defined circumstances is in preparation and should free up GP capacity.
The Programme for Government, the National Sexual Health Strategy, the Sláintecare 2025+ Plan and the Women’s Health Action Plans all commit to further phased expansion of the scheme, up to age 55 in due course. Decisions relating to further expansion of the scheme must be considered through the Estimates process each year.