The State-paid “free” contraception scheme has been expanded to include women aged 32 to 35. Despite the roll-over of free contraception to different age groups, the abortion rate in Ireland keeps climbing. Last year, over 10,000 took place.

Launched in September 2022, the scheme now covers all women aged 17 to 35 inclusive.

It comes 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.

There has not been a corresponding scheme to help women achieve the number of children they want.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced that from today, women who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and aged between their 17th birthday and the day before their 36th birthday will be eligible for fully-state-funded contraception.

The service covers the cost of consultations and prescriptions for a range of chemical contraceptive options.

These include long-acting contraception (Larcs) such as injections, implants and hormonal and copper intra-uterine devices and systems (coils).

The scheme also includes emergency contraception in addition to the oral contraceptive pill, patch and ring, but it does not cover condoms or surgical sterilization.