An expansion of the free contraception scheme for women and funding to help people access IVF treatments have been announced as part of Budget 2023.

The expansion comes despite previous Government advice that free contraception would probably be ineffective and a waste of public funds.

Earlier this month, women aged 17-25 became eligible for free contraception, however the Government has confirmed the initiative will be extended from September 1st next year to include those aged 16-30.

The €107.1 million of additional funding allocated to the Department of Health as part of the cost-of-living package also includes measures which will help those undergoing IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) treatment.

Meanwhile, the Irish Times reports today on new research from the New York University Langone Fertility Center which found most women who tried to become pregnant after freezing their eggs did not succeed.

Dr Marcelle Cedars says the data is “sobering” and “should give women pause”, adding that many women “are overly optimistic” about their chances of having a baby when they freeze their eggs. Extracting eggs is extremely expensive as is thawing them, fertilizing them, and then trying to implant them successfully in a woman’s womb. The procedure is often not a success.