Vol. 24 #01 20 Sept. 2022
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Winner: Best Newspaper at the National Student Media Awards 2019
Student Independent News Nuachtán saor in aisce · Vol. 24 Issue 01 · 20 Sept. 2022
Many students set to benefit from the launch of a free contraception scheme By Valerie McHugh
Editor
Free contraception for people who menstruate, who are aged between 17 and 25, is now available. The scheme covers all types of contraception, including receiving the oral contraceptive pill, the insertion of an IUD and purchasing emergency contraception. People in this cohort can also avail of free GP appointments concerning contraception. The new initiative is being rolled out under the Health Act 2022 which was signed into law by the President earlier this year. Here on campus, Supervising Pharmacist at Matt O’Flaherty Chemist Emer O’Connor is delighted with the rollout, and says the team are looking forward to implementing the scheme for students. Speaking to SIN, O’Connor said “This is now available in our chemist for anyone with a prescription, all you need is your PPS number.
“There is a portal that the HSE are suffering with the cost-of-living crisis rolling out for the scheme which is still around the country. getting underway, and once that’s up and In a statement, Minister for Health Sterunning things will be a lot smoother for phen Donnelly said that free contraception us. But, we have already dispensed it to is a cost-effective measure, which will pospeople. itively reduce the cost burden on women. “For emergency contraception, it is now He believes the scheme may also completely free which is particularly ben- “reduce both crisis pregnancy and terefitting people who were not under the GMS scheme in Ireland.” The University of Galway has a large demographic of people eligible for the scheme with the Students’ Union praising it’s introduction. President Sai Gujalla says “Personally I believe this is definitely a great initiative especially with the ongoing inflation and the cost of living crisis this initiative provides a breather for mination of pregnancy rates. Given that students in terms of costs and hope- the costs of prescription contraception fully this scheme will expand in the are typically faced by women, the future and will breakdown the stigma scheme will impact positively on gensurrounding women and sex in our der equity, reducing costs for women, society.” but also benefitting their partners The new scheme has been welcomed as and families, starting with women a way of alleviating pressures on students aged 17-25.”
“This is now available for
anyone with a prescription, all
”
you need is your PPS number.