OVER 35 AND paying out for contraception?

Free contraception expansion is not on the priority list, according to Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, which means over-35s will still be footing the bill after this year’s budget. 

In 2024, free contraception was made available to women up to the age of 35. 

The Free Contraception Scheme was first introduced in 2022 for 17–25-year-olds and has expanded in phases. 

The scheme provides for the cost of prescription contraception, including the cost of consultations with medical professionals and fitting and/or removal of various types of contraceptives.

The range of contraceptive options currently available include contraceptive injections, implants, the coil, the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.

At the time, former health minister Stephen Donnelly said the scheme was introduced as “no one should have to bear disproportionate financial costs because of their gender”, indicating that the scheme would eventually expand further. 

However, asked by The Journal about the possibility of future expansion of the scheme, MacNeill said the government has put a lot of resources and a lot of effort into the free contraception scheme. 

“But as I look at my budget, I have to prioritise frontline nursing staff in hospitals over eligibility expansion.

“That’s certainly my focus this year, and I’m very committed to expanding staff, patient focused staff. Everything is a balance in terms of the budget,” she said. 

The minister said there is now easier access to contraception, with women now able to get a prescription through pharmacies, as opposed to having to go to a GP. 

Calls for age cap to be removed

The National Women’s Council last month called for the free contraception scheme to be extended to everyone who needs it, regardless of age or migration status. 

According to new research published by the National Women’s Council (NWC) and Trinity College Dublin, one in three women still experience barriers to accessing the scheme.

Of the 500 women surveyed, the age limit was most often cited as a barrier.

Doireann Crosson, head of policy at the NWC, has said women are fertile well into their 40s and has referenced how women are also prescribed hormonal contraception to treat symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. 

She said women over 35 are also more likely to use long-acting contraceptives such as the coil, which are costly. 

The Irish Family Planning Association has highlighted previously that there is a perception that unintended pregnancy only happens to young women. The association said there has been an increasing number of women aged over 35 attending pregnancy counselling services over the years. 

What do you think? 

Should the free contraception scheme be expanded to over-35s?