Fundingof €9m has been allocated in Budget 2022 to support the free contraception scheme for women aged 17–25 who reside in Ireland.
Free contraception, for women aged 17–25, is now available from GPs, primary care centres and pharmacists who have signed up to provide services under the scheme. All consultations with a medical practitioner required to access prescription contraception, the fitting of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCs) and their removal, and the provision of prescription contraception by pharmacists are free to 17–25-year-olds.
Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly said, “Access to free contraception was a key recommendation accompanying the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution and is a key element of the Women’s Health Action Plan. The scheme, a vital Programme for Government commitment, puts women aged 17–25 at its centre in providing a full suite of options for them to choose which form of contraception works best for them. We are removing any financial barriers to the age cohort for whom such barriers are most likely to be an issue.”
