Press release
Minister for Health announces strong uptake of the expanded Free Contraception Scheme in 2024
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today highlighted strong uptake of the Free Contraception Scheme in 2024. Data from January to September this year shows that approximately 245,000 people have accessed the scheme at least once, with a full-year projection of 320,000 women.
This compares to just under 189,000 women who accessed the scheme in 2023, when it was available to women aged 17 – 30. In January 2024, it was extended to women aged 31, and was further expanded on 1 July 2024 to include women aged 32-35.
The provision of this service was supported by an additional €4 million in funding through the Women’s Health Fund under the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025, with a total of €48 million allocated to the scheme for 2024.
Minister Donnelly said:
“We introduced the Free Contraception Scheme in recognition of the barriers that many women faced in accessing contraception affordably. No one should have to bear disproportionate financial costs because of their gender.
“I’m very pleased by the strong uptake in the scheme, which is providing women with financial freedom when making choices about their reproductive health. Since its launch in September 2022 we have expanded it rapidly in response to clear demand.
“It’s one of many developments in women’s health in recent years that reflect our ongoing efforts to provide a quality, accessible and equitable health service for all, regardless of ability to pay.”
The scheme is open to women, girls and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and for whom prescription contraception is deemed suitable by their doctors. Almost 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies are providing services under the scheme.
The Free Contraception Scheme was introduced in September 2022, initially for those aged 17 to 25, and expanded to include 26-30-year-olds, in 2023. It was further expanded to include women aged 31 in January 2024 and to those aged 32-35 in July 2024.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, family planning, student health and primary care centres, and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the Health Service Executive (HSE) Re-Imbursement List. These options include long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs). LARCs include injections, implants, and hormonal intra-uterine devices and systems (coils). The scheme also includes emergency contraception in addition to the oral contraceptive pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and checks are also free of charge under the scheme.
Prescriptions are dispensed at a local pharmacy of choice. If LARCs are chosen (coils and implants, for example), patients return to a service provider participating in the scheme to have the device fitted, and subsequently removed. All of these costs are fully covered by the State and are free of charge to the patient.
Currently, women who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and aged from their 17th birthday until the day before their 36th birthday will be eligible for free contraception under the scheme. Women who have had coils, IUDs, IUSs or implants inserted while eligible for the scheme will remain eligible for follow-up care related to their devices after their 36th birthday, that is, subsequent checks and free removal of any devices. This measure ensures continuity of care.
Almost 2,400 GPs, primary care, family planning and student health centres and other related community medical facilities, and 2,050 community pharmacies have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date. Approximately €48 million is now allocated to support the scheme in 2024.
Further information regarding both free prescription contraception and the National Condom Distribution Service is available through the HSE’s Sexual Wellbeing website. This information is regularly updated and provides full details of how to access the scheme.