President signs law on free contraception for women in Ireland

DUBLIN: A new health law has come into force in Ireland that will make contraception available to women for free. Free contraception for women aged 17-25 will be available from September. The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Act 2022 – which also abolishes in-patient charges for children under 16 in all public hospitals – was signed into law today by President Michael D Higgins.

The law makes the entire cost of contraception free. In 2019, a parliamentary committee had recommended provision of free contraceptives, after which a government working group considered the law.

Contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception are available through this scheme.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “Free contraception is a cost-effective measure, reducing both crisis pregnancy and termination of pregnancy rates.   

“Given that the costs of prescription contraception are typically faced by women, the scheme will impact positively on gender equity, reducing costs for women, but also benefitting their partners and families, starting with women aged 17-25.”

The minister explained that the abolition of acute in-patient hospital charges for children below 16 years of age is aimed at easing the financial burden on parents and guardians. Currently there is a hospital charge of €80 per night up to a maximum of 10 nights in a year. Medical card holders and some others are exempted from these charges.