Fine Gael Local Election Candidate for Dundrum, Eoin O’Driscoll has called on all women aged 17 to 30 to access the Government’s Free Contraception Scheme. Nationally, more than 150,000 women aged 17-26 have accessed the scheme since it was introduced. In September, it was further expanded to include women aged 27 to 30, and will be further expanded to women aged 31 on the 1st January 2024.
Figures for the first 8 months of this year show that demand for the service has been highest among those aged 18 to 21.
“This scheme has been championed by Fine Gael in Government, including by Simon Harris as Minister for Health. I am delighted to see such a high uptake. It covers the cost of consultations with GPs, part family planning, student health and primary care centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available. It also covers the cost of prescriptions, as well as fitting, checks and removal of long-acting reversible contraception devices.
“We know that the most appropriate contraception isn’t always the cheapest, and this scheme ensures that women can choose the method of contraception that is most suited to their needs and circumstances, in consultation with their GP or medical professional, giving more women the freedom to control their reproductive health without any financial barriers.
“For more information, you can check out the HSE-run sexualwellbeing.ie.”
Cllr. Eoin O'Driscoll 