Written answers
Thursday, 24 October 2024
Department of Health
Health Strategies
Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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345. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women who accessed the free contraception scheme in each year since it launched, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43642/24]
Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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346. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of women who have accessed the free contraception scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43643/24]
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together.
The free contraception scheme was launched in September 2022, initially for those aged 17-25. It has been gradually expanded and now includes women aged 17-35 from July 1st, 2024.
Approximately 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date.
The scheme is open to women, girls and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and for whom prescription contraception is deemed suitable by their doctors.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, primary care, student health and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme.
Women who have had coils, IUDs, IUSs or implants inserted while eligible under the scheme remain eligible for subsequent checks and free removal of any devices inserted prior to reaching the eligibility limit (currently their 36th birthday), to ensure continuity of care.
In terms of the numbers of women accessing the scheme, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of patients who have used the fertility hubs each year since they opened, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43644/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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348. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of patients who have used the see-and-treat gynaecology clinics each year since they opened, in tabular form. [43645/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The roll out of the Ambulatory Gynaecology Model of Care commenced in 2020. There are currently 16 ambulatory gynaecology clinics in operation nationwide, and 5 more in development.
The Health Service Executive’s National Women and Infants’ Health Programme (NWIHP) is responsible for the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. The NWIHP have provided the tabular data below that estimates the total number of new patient appointments, by year, for women in the ambulatory gynaecology clinics since the first clinics opened in 2020. It is expected that 25,000 women will access treatment through the clinics each year when the network is complete. The clinics are having a very positive impact on gynaecology waiting lists and waiting times, with the majority of women waiting less than 6 months for treatment.
| Year | Number of ambulatory gynaecology clinics | Number of new patients seen |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 2,000 |
| 2021 | 7 | 5,000 |
| 2022 | 12 | 10,000 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16,000 |
| 2024 | 16 | 9,855 (end of Q2) |
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