All females aged between 17-25 years will be able to avail of free contraception from GPs as and from Wednesday.
In late July of this year (2022) the Minister for Health Mr Stephen Donnelly welcomed the signing into law by President Michael D. Higgins of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Act 2022, after it successfully passed all stages of the Dáil and the Seanad, with cross-party support.
However, it will be the decision of individual GP practices to sign up to the scheme. It is not expected that every doctor will do so, as this will depend on the statistical characteristics of surrounding populations attending at each practice, and the ability of doctors to undertake this extra work.
The programme is expected to begin operating with effect from Wednesday next, with young women potentially saving up to and in some cases in excess of two hundred euro each year and will no longer impose a significant barrier to accessibility by those financially dependent on parents or guardians.
This new scheme to be introduced, will cover the full cost of prescription contraception for females, including the cost of necessary consultations with medical professionals to discuss other contraception options, including the fitting or removal of various types of long-acting and reversible contraception.
The scheme will provide a range of contraceptive options including contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.
A nationwide publicity campaign is expected to be in operation shortly, which will advise young women on what the package will means for them, and details will also be provided shortly on the Citizen’s Information website, HERE.
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