It is projected that 320,000 women in Ireland will have accessed an expanded free contraception scheme in 2024, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said.
The minister highlighted the uptake of the scheme, with data from January to September this year showing that approximately 245,000 people accessed it at least once.
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, it was extended to women aged 31, and was further expanded in July to include women aged 32 to 35.
Mr 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…
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