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move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 to the Dáil on behalf of the Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The main purpose of the Bill is to make … provision for the inclusion of retail pharmacy businesses as scheme providers and to provide a subset of contraception services referred to in section 67E of the Health Act 1970, the primary framework for the free contraception scheme. The Bill proposes to include pharmacists as prescribers of contraception

move amendment No. 8: In page 5, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “Report on prescription-free oral contraceptives 4.The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on a proposal to allow registered … pharmacists to dispense prescription-free oral contraceptives.”. This is an amendment looking for a report on the provision of prescription-free oral contraceptives. It calls on the Minister, within six months of the passing of the Act, to lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the proposal

will make a few key points. While we welcome this Bill, we believe that oral contraceptives should be available prescription free. The action plan does not have enough solid commitments when it comes to contraception, and essentially the barriers still exist and exclusion from the scheme is still … issue for some women. The Social Democrats welcome this Bill, which provides for pharmacists to re-prescribe certain contraceptives. However, we stand firm in the belief that oral contraceptives should be available prescription free. They are some of the safest and most thoroughly researched medications available

operation of this subsection, and every year thereafter, prepare and lay before each House of the Oireachtas a report on progress towards making contraception services available without charge to all women which shall include— (a) the number of women who availed of contraception services in the preceding year … class or classes of ages under subsection (5), (c) an assessment of the case for making available under this section the contraception services referred to in subsections (1) and (4) by reference to an age that is under the age of 17 years, (d) an assessment

sensible measure that recognises the expertise of community pharmacists and reduces unnecessary barriers for women who need repeat prescriptions for contraception. Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in the country. They are embedded in each of our communities. They are trusted and are often more … accessible than a GP. Allowing appropriately trained pharmacists to prescribe repeat contraception following the initial GP consultation will make life easier for women. It will reduce unnecessary GP appointments and ease pressure on primary care. While this Bill is welcome, it also exposes limits that exist

that now. This Bill is the culmination of a couple of years of work begun by my predecessor on the provision of contraception through pharmacies. That work commenced with consideration of the matter by the expert clinical committee on contraception, which was convened by the HSE. The crucial … first instance. That initial prescription has to come from a GP because there are so many contraindications for contraception for so many different types of women. I am aware that in some other countries, some contraceptives are given out over the counter, such as a progesterone-only pill

welcome this legislation that progresses the free contraception available for those aged 17 to 35 and will allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptive medicines and products. What annoys me is to see that the Government has said the pharmacies will set their fees locally. This is not good enough … this is not free contraception. There has to be something put in place to ensure that the contraceptive is actually free when somebody goes to the counter to purchase it. Pharmacists are entirely capable of providing enhanced care beyond that which they currently do. It is a positive

welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It is a step in the right direction by improving access to contraception through pharmacies. I believe the proposed legislation will be another step forward for women's health, their control over their fertility and improving reproductive rights. It will … towards in Sláintecare, but it is of course is limited. The Bill will bring some benefit for women who have endometriosis and use contraception for this purpose, women in lower income groups and women in rural areas who may not have a medical card or access

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, have been able to confirm to me that none of the contraceptives to be included in the pharmacy scheme are classified as medical devices. Amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, essentially look to remove the reference … Pharmacy Act 2007 in order to support the clinical service and associated training requirements that must be fulfilled to provide the contraception-prescribing service. Those sections ensure that the scheme is clearly enabled and cross-referenced through a refreshed legislative framework supporting pharmacy prescription of contraception. Amendments

welcome this Bill. The free contraception scheme launched in 2022 was ground-breaking at the time but access to it has been an issue. In that regard, it is most welcome that prescription rights have been extended to pharmacists by this legislation. The other critical thing is that … those women not eligible for the free contraception scheme - and I will talk about that in a minute - it will lower the cost of renewing their prescription. I think we are all in agreement that when there is no medical need to attend a GP, it makes eminent

Minister's response, that judgment should not be passed on why a 16-year-old girl might present to a pharmacy seeking contraception. It would be very worrying if the message were to go out that we are trying to control or dissuade behaviours. The history … involved in sexual behaviour at the age of 16. Of course, we know there are other girls who access contraception not because of needing it for the original use but for other health conditions. We need to be very mindful that we want to create a health service

read with interest of this item on contraception. I cannot help noticing it is happening on the day the decision on Bessborough has been made. Considering the whole mother and baby scenario that happened in this country and the devastation faced by so many people born in Bessborough … their children are, it is poignant to have this conversation today. It is fantastic that women aged 17 to 35 can get free contraception. That is excellent but I agree with those who have said it should be extended to whenever child-bearing age ends

scope but this needs to be a firm commitment and it needs to happen sooner rather than later. We need free contraceptives to be offered to women of all ages. The National Women's Council of Ireland undertook a survey of 500 women that was published this year … found one in three still faces barriers to accessing the free contraceptive scheme - women in the Traveller community, women from migrant communities, women with disabilities. Reproductive health and contraception should be accessible to all; there should not be any barriers, particularly for women from marginalised or vulnerable communities

that. Though that framework should include training and education as well as child protection and legal protections, it should also provide access to contraception and sexual health services where clinically appropriate in line with international guidance on the rights of the child. However, they do not recommend lowering … year-olds have had sex but the majority of those were 17 and therefore eligible for the free contraception scheme. I appreciate the point the Deputy is making. I will go with the clinical guidance on this because I do not want to rush something like that

welcome the Bill. We spend a lot of time inside these Houses talking about other parts of reproductive healthcare and not enough about contraception, so it is really welcome that we are having a focus and discussion on it and are moving forward with changes. On the point … increasing the age group upwards as well. The National Women's Council report found that 31% of women experienced barriers in accessing free contraception and age limit was one of the most cited barriers there as well. It is certainly something that should be considered

would still have to go to a GP in the first instance. If a 15-year-old presented to a GP for contraception that raises questions. Is it to manage a different condition, for example, for which there is evidence or concern? We have discussed endometriosis, for example … that debate some time ago. It is logical and aligned to have sexual activity consent age aligned with the age for accessing free contraception. Those things are logical. The Deputy might conversely say that it is logical around medical consent as well and I appreciate that point also

talking about the prescription of oral contraceptives as called for by the World Health Organization, as set out by the Irish Pharmacy Union and as endorsed by the previous health committee. We are looking for a report on that with the detail of the various elements, if more … from that call from the IPU, endorsed by the health committee. The committee previously wrote to the Minister about access to oral contraceptives. There is a letter in the Department from the previous health committee, in 2023, setting out the detail on this. That is the call

hour) - Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 (Amendments from the Seanad) (to conclude within 3 hours) - Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 (Committee and remaining Stages) (to conclude within 30 minutes) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann … include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; 6. the proceedings on Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 Committee and remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after

treat ambulatory gynaecology clinics; opened regional and two supraregional endometriosis hubs and launched a national endometriosis framework; launched and expanded the free contraception scheme; launched the free HRT arrangement; launched a State-funded assisted human reproduction treatment scheme; provided period dignity grant schemes to support community measures … prevention and social inclusion, and, of course, prioritising care for more serious conditions, including endometriosis. It also includes further expansion of the free contraception scheme and its integration into wider sexual and reproductive health supports is a key element of the third action plan, and this Bill

selected by Social Democrats. Thursday's business shall be: - Statements on Dementia (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (to conclude after the first round, not to exceed 1 hour and 52 minutes … exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; and 3. the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at the end of the first speaking

Seanad Éireann has passed the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026, without amendment. Seanad Éireann has passed the Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026, without amendment

month. We did this progressively over the past number of years. We have funded diagnostic scans now for patients. We have introduced free contraception for women up to the age of 35. We are publicly funding assisted human reproduction, including IVF, and free

thank the Deputy. I confess that we were not exactly clear on the nature of the contraceptives overall. Can I just clarify whether the Deputy is referring to progesterone only or combined, or simply the initial access in the pharmacy

health committee and the IPU. That is the background to this amendment. Many pharmacists have private spaces where they do consultations about emergency contraception. Those spaces exist. It is one that we can maybe think about and have dialogue and engagement about in future. We can think about

support postmasters, the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 or the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026. Notwithstanding the fact that everything they have raised is important, we have prioritised legislation this week

Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if she will consider extending the age for free contraception, which is currently from 17 years to 35 years, to at least 40 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55642/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs participating in the free contraception scheme, by county, in tabular form. [54412/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of pharmacies participating in the free contraception scheme, by county, in tabular form. [54414/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of introducing a fully funded universal contraception scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51333/26

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health for an update on the extension of the free contraceptive scheme to all ages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50433/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline for an expansion of the free contraception scheme to all people in reproductive age; to provide any costings that have been carried out by her Department; and if she will make a statement