Free contraception for under 25s was introduced this month.
Only this month a new scheme introduced free contraception for women between the ages of 17 and 25. While this aimed to make it more accessible, there was much criticism that it did not extend beyond 25 year old women.
It was then expected that next year's Budget would address this, and in today's announcement it was revealed that the free contraception scheme would indeed extend to women under 30.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said today that he would "
love to see everyone eligible" for free contraception in the future.
The current scheme in place for women between 17 and 25 includes the following:
- Necessary consultations with medical staff
- Fitting and removal of long-acting contraceptive items
- Wide range of contraceptions, including IUDs, injection, implants, the patch and ring, the pill
- Emergency contraception
You can read more about it
HERE.
IVF will be publicly funded, beginning next year. Previously Ireland was the only country in the EU that didn't offer State-funded assistance when it comes to IVF services. IVF treatment currently costs between €4,000 and €5,000.
Header image via Shutterstock
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