The Department of Health has confirmed that free contraception for those aged 17 -25 will be rolled out in August.

This is despite a 2019 Working Group on Access to Contraception, under the then Health Minister, Simon Harris, say the proposal would probably be a waste of public funds.

The scheme is part of the €31 million women’s health package included in the Irish government’s Budget 2022, unveiled last October.

The roll-out is currently restricted to women aged 17 – 25,  a group alleged to have the largest number of identified cost barriers to contraception.

Funding was secured by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, who received government approval to bring a Committee Stage amendment to provide for the program.