Health Minister in push to make contraceptives free for 16-year-old girls - even though age of consent is 17

Contraception for women aged 17 to 35 is currently free in Ireland, while there is ongoing debate about extending this benefit to 16-year-olds due to medical ethics concerns.

Minister Donnelly argues that 16-year-olds should have access to free contraception, citing the inconsistency of providing abortion services to underage girls while restricting contraceptive access.

There's criticism surrounding the existing €10 million free IVF scheme for its strict eligibility criteria, prompting a review by the National Women and Infants Health Programme.

Donnelly's push for additional staffing in surgical hubs indicates a broader goal to improve healthcare capacity, amidst ongoing discussions about child benefit schemes and healthcare funding.

Read at Irish Independent