Budget 2025: Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in push to make contraceptives free for 16-year-old girls – even though age of consent is 17

Contraception is currently free for women aged 17 to 35, under measures brought in by the Fianna Fáil minister.

However, there is resistance within the Department of Health for the initiative to be extended to girls aged 16 due to “medical ethics” – given that the age of consent in Ireland is 17.

The minister is understood to be pushing back against the “legally complex” issue, as he believes free contraception should be made available to 16-year-old girls, as the State already provides abortions to girls of that age.

Mr Donnelly has also pointed to the age of medical independence being 16 – meaning that, from that age, children can go by themselves to a GP and do not need parental or guardian consent.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly wants to make contraceptives free for 16-year-olds as part of Budget 2025

This proposal has been criticised by Aontú, with party leader Peadar Tóibín calling the proposal an “incredible development”.

He also said the Minister was…

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Independent.ie