Women in their 40s should get free contraception, insists Laois TD
Brian Stanley TD welcomes new law that will allow pharmacists to prescribe contraception
Eligibility for free contraception should be extended to women aged in their forties, according to a Laois TD who has welcomed new rules that will allow women to access contraceptive medications directly from their pharmacy.
Independent TD Brian Stanley made the call in the Dáil during a reading of the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026, which will include pharmacists as prescribers of contraception in clearly defined clinical circumstances, in addition to their existing role in dispensing contraceptive medicines and devices.
The Laois TD believes the change could be used as an opportunity to widen eligibly for the free scheme.
“At present, women aged from 17 to 35 can get free contraception but I would like to see this being extended upwards to at least 40 years or possibly to the age of 45,” he told the Dáil.
The Portlaoise -based TD explained the reason why he wants the change.
“Many couples are now leaving it longer to have children due to economic necessity. This is a story in itself. We talk a lot about reproductive rights for women and couples but, unfortunately, a lot of people, for reasons of housing, access to housing and economic necessity, delay having children longer than they would like to,” he said.
He called for the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to change her view.
“Will the Minister look at the benefits of moving the age upwards to at least 40 years? The Minister did say, or was certainly reported as saying a few months ago, that it was not on her priority list. It should be on the priority list because women are having children into their early 40s. If the scheme could be extended to the age of 40 it would be a big improvement, but I would like to see it going further than that,” he said.
Dep Stanley referenced a survey carried out by Trinity College Dublin which he said found that the age limit was the most often cited barrier for women who want to access the scheme. He said one in three women face barriers accessing the free contraception scheme. He estimated the cost of the change as up to to €6 million.
Overall, he welcomed the contraception bill, especially for women in rural Laois where access to GPs can be difficult.
“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.
“To be able to obtain certain contraceptives directly through a local pharmacy will be a particular benefit in rural counties such as Laois and in rural localities where there are no family planning clinics. Crucially, this will take some of the excessive workload from GPs. We know it is becoming increasingly difficult to access a GP, and I have highlighted here many times the difficulties in Co Laois.
“This scheme means contraception methods appropriate for safe administration by pharmacists, who are highly qualified to do so, will be administered in pharmacies and it is good day when we are doing it. Pharmacies open late in the evening and at weekends when GP surgeries are understandably closed. GP surgeries operate from 9 am to 5 pm although some of them open in the evenings now. Pharmacies have longer opening hours and they are open on Saturdays. Some of them open on Sundays. This will improve access,” he said.