Contraception
The free contraception scheme, launched in September 2022 for 17 to 25 year olds, has been extended to cover a broader age range. It funds consultations, prescriptions, fitting and removal of long-acting methods, and emergency contraception, delivered through participating GPs and pharmacies.
Key points
| Free scheme | Covers consultations, prescriptions and LARC fitting for the eligible age band |
|---|---|
| Emergency contraception | Free under the scheme; otherwise available without prescription in pharmacies |
| Outside the scheme | Costs fall on the patient unless they hold a medical card |
| Under-17s | Can access services; clinicians assess capacity |
| LARC | Fitting and removal covered, including the consultation |
| Providers | Participating GPs, family planning clinics and pharmacies |
| Free contraception scheme | Extended progressively by age since 2022, covering consultations, prescriptions and devices |
| Pharmacy supply | Emergency contraception is supplied by pharmacists without prescription |
| Long-acting methods | Fitting and removal are covered by the scheme |
| Age of consent to treatment | 16 for medical treatment, with clinical judgement below that |
In practice
- Check the current age range of the free scheme before paying — it has been extended more than once.
- Ask for the fitting and removal to be booked together when choosing a long-acting method.
Cost and coverage
Free within the scheme; medical card holders receive contraception free at any age.
Recent changes
The scheme has been extended in successive budgets, and uptake has been high, particularly for long-acting methods.
Where to go
- HSE sexualwellbeing.ie for the list of participating providers.
- Irish Family Planning Association clinics.
- Participating community pharmacies.
Worth knowing
The scheme covers the fitting and the removal of long-acting methods — the removal cost used to be a real deterrent, so it is worth confirming when you have one fitted. The free scheme covers the consultation as well as the product. Ask explicitly, because some practices still charge for the appointment.
The general article: Contraception · Compare with another country
Abortion
After the referendum of May 2018 repealed the Eighth Amendment, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 came into force on 1 January 2019. Termination is available on request up to 12 weeks, and later where there is a risk to life or serious harm to health, or a fatal fetal condition.
Key points
| On request | Up to 12 weeks, calculated from the last menstrual period |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | Three days between the first consultation and the procedure |
| After 12 weeks | Risk to life or of serious harm to health, or a condition likely to lead to death of the foetus |
| Provider | GPs provide early medical abortion; hospitals handle later care |
| Cost | Free, including for people without a medical card |
| Safe access zones | Introduced by legislation in 2024 |
| Statute | Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, after the 2018 referendum |
| Three-day wait | Mandatory between the two consultations, and criticised in the statutory review |
| GP-led | Early care is delivered by participating GPs, not hospitals |
| Review | The 2023 statutory review recommended removing the waiting period and the criminal penalties |
In practice
- Call the My Options freephone line to be matched with a participating GP.
- First consultation starts the three-day clock; the second appointment provides the medication.
- Telephone and video consultation were retained after the pandemic for early medical abortion.
- Aftercare and contraception are provided by the same service.
- Use the MyOptions helpline to find a participating GP: not all GPs provide the service.
- Book the first consultation immediately — the three-day wait comes out of the twelve weeks.
Cost and coverage
Free, regardless of medical card status.
Recent changes
The statutory review published in 2023 recommended removing the mandatory three-day wait and clarifying the twelve-week calculation — changes that were still under consideration.
Where to go
- My Options — freephone information and referral line.
- Participating GPs and women's health clinics.
- HSE sexual health services for contraception.
Worth knowing
The three-day wait is calculated strictly, so a first appointment at eleven weeks and five days may leave no lawful time. Ring as soon as you know. The three-day wait is counted inside the twelve-week limit, so a late first appointment can put the limit out of reach.
The general article: Abortion · Compare with another country
Parents: a teenager’s first relationship
A free contraception scheme covers young adults, and sexual health services are available free of charge. For a person under eighteen, a clinician assesses whether they understand the decision; where they do, care can be given confidentially. Emergency contraception is available from pharmacies without prescription. Free home STI testing has been rolled out nationally.
Ireland introduced free contraception for young adults in 2022 and has extended the age band since, so that consultations, prescriptions and devices are covered without charge for a broad group of young women. Below eighteen the position rests on the same competence reasoning as in the UK, with the additional complication that the age of sexual consent is seventeen — which makes clinicians cautious and makes clear confidentiality assurances important.
Key points
| Free contraception | Public scheme covering young adults |
|---|---|
| Under-eighteens | Care possible where the clinician judges the person understands the decision |
| Emergency contraception | From pharmacies without prescription |
| Testing | Free, including national home testing kits |
| Age of consent | Seventeen |
| Confidentiality | Owed to the patient, with safeguarding exceptions |
| Where to go | Family planning clinics, GPs and student health services |
In practice
- Order a free home STI test: it removes the hardest step, which is walking into a clinic.
- Emergency contraception is available directly from the pharmacy.
- Family planning clinics are used to seeing young people and do not report to parents.
- The age of consent here is seventeen, higher than in most neighbouring countries — worth knowing.
Cost and coverage
Contraception is free under the public scheme; STI testing is free.
Where to go
- Family planning and sexual health clinics.
- Pharmacy, for emergency contraception.
- National free home STI testing service.
- Confidential helplines for young people.
Worth knowing
The age of consent is seventeen, which is higher than in Britain or most of Europe. That matters when a relationship crosses a border.
Frequently asked questions
Who gets free contraception in Ireland?
The scheme covers women in a defined age band that has been widened in successive budgets, and includes GP consultations, prescriptions, fittings and removals of devices, and emergency contraception. It is free at the point of use; check the current age range, which has changed several times.
Does the age of consent affect access to care?
It affects the conversation, not the entitlement. Seventeen is the age of sexual consent in Ireland, so a clinician seeing a younger patient will consider safeguarding. Care itself can still be given to a young person who understands the decision, and confidentiality applies.
Sources
- HSE Sexual Wellbeing — free home STI testing and clinic finder
- spunout — youth information service
- Childline — 1800 66 66 66 — free and confidential
The general article: Parents: a teenager’s first relationship · Compare with another country
Sexual orientation
The first country to introduce marriage equality by popular vote, and self-declaration gender recognition since 2015.
A constitutional referendum in 2015 made Ireland the first country to introduce same-sex marriage by popular vote. The Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, and the Gender Recognition Act 2015 allows adults to change their legal gender by self-declaration, without medical evidence. A ban on conversion practices has been recommended and debated but not yet enacted.
Ireland is the only country in the world to have introduced marriage equality by popular vote, in the referendum of May 2015, and in the same year passed a Gender Recognition Act allowing change of legal gender by self-declaration — one of the earliest such laws anywhere. The Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts cover sexual orientation, and the former exemption allowing religious-run schools and hospitals to discriminate was removed in 2015.
Key points
| Marriage | Approved by referendum in 2015, the first such vote in the world |
|---|---|
| Discrimination | Prohibited in employment, services, housing and education |
| Gender recognition | By self-declaration for adults since 2015 |
| Conversion practices | Debated and recommended for prohibition; not yet law |
| Hate crime | Legislation strengthening protection has been progressed |
| Parenthood | Both mothers can be registered for children conceived through a clinic in the State |
| Blood donation | Individual risk assessment |
In practice
- Discrimination complaints go to the Workplace Relations Commission, free and without a solicitor.
- The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission can provide assistance in significant cases.
- Youth services operate in most towns and do not inform parents.
- Parental recognition rules differ depending on where conception took place: check before travelling.
Cost and coverage
Complaints to the Workplace Relations Commission are free.
Recent changes
Legislation to ban conversion practices has been in preparation for several years; the hate crime legislation enacted in 2024 added aggravated offences covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
Where to go
- Workplace Relations Commission, for discrimination complaints.
- Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
- National LGBT+ helpline and local youth services.
Worth knowing
Parental recognition for children conceived abroad or through home insemination has lagged behind the rest of the law. If that is your situation, take legal advice before the birth rather than after.
Frequently asked questions
How does gender recognition work in Ireland?
By self-declaration: an adult applies for a gender recognition certificate with a statutory declaration, without medical evidence or a diagnosis. Provision for sixteen and seventeen year olds exists with additional requirements. Ireland was among the first countries to adopt this model.
What changed for teachers and nurses in 2015?
The exemption that had allowed religious-run schools and hospitals to treat employees less favourably to protect their ethos was narrowed so that it can no longer be used against someone on grounds of sexual orientation or civil status. Before that, many staff stayed closeted for job security.
The general article: Sexual orientation · Compare with another country
Drugs and controlled substances
Possession is an offence under the 1977 Act, with a health-led approach introduced for a first cannabis offence.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended, governs controlled drugs. Simple possession of cannabis or cannabis resin carries a fine on a first and second offence; possession of other controlled drugs can carry up to seven years. Possession with intent to supply carries up to life. The Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 covers substances not individually scheduled.
A health diversion approach for people found in simple possession has been developed following the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, which reported in 2024 and recommended a comprehensive health-led response.
Section 15A creates a presumptive minimum of ten years where the drugs are worth €13,000 or more, one of the few mandatory minimums in Irish law.
Driving under the influence of an intoxicant is an offence, with fixed concentration limits for cannabis, cocaine and heroin under the Road Traffic Act 2016.
Key points
| Main statute | Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended |
|---|---|
| Cannabis, simple possession | Fine on a first and second offence |
| Other drugs, possession | Up to 7 years |
| Possession to supply | Up to life imprisonment |
| Section 15A | Presumptive 10-year minimum where value reaches €13,000 |
In practice
- The HSE drugs and alcohol helpline is free on 1800 459 459.
- Community drug and alcohol projects accept self-referral and are free.
- Naloxone is available through services and pharmacies for people at risk of opioid overdose.
Cost and coverage
Public treatment services are free. Fines are set by the court.
Recent changes
The Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use reported in early 2024 in favour of a comprehensive health-led approach to personal possession; implementation is under way.
Where to go
- HSE drugs and alcohol helpline, 1800 459 459.
- Drugs.ie, service finder and information.
- Merchants Quay Ireland and Ana Liffey Drug Project.
- Emergencies: 112 or 999.
Worth knowing
Section 15A means that value, not intent, can trigger a ten-year presumptive minimum. Holding drugs for someone else is no defence.
Frequently asked questions
Is cannabis decriminalised in Ireland?
No. Simple possession remains an offence, though a health-led diversion approach applies in the first instance.
What is section 15A?
A provision creating a presumptive ten-year minimum sentence where the drugs involved are worth €13,000 or more.
The general article: Drugs and controlled substances · Compare with another country
Alcohol and tobacco
The first country in the world to ban workplace smoking, and the first to require alcohol health warnings.
Ireland introduced the world's first comprehensive workplace smoking ban in 2004, a model since copied across Europe. It has continued to lead: minimum unit pricing for alcohol came into force in 2022, and Ireland became the first country anywhere to legislate for health warnings on alcohol labels, covering cancer risk and liver disease, with a commencement date set for 2026.
Ireland was the first country in the world to ban smoking in workplaces, in March 2004, and the model spread from there. Minimum unit pricing for alcohol followed in 2022. The third landmark — health warnings on alcohol labels, including a cancer warning, again a world first — was due in May 2026 but has been deferred by government to 2028 after industry pressure, a decision public-health bodies criticised sharply.
Key points
| Legal age | 18 for both alcohol and tobacco |
|---|---|
| Workplace ban | World first, in 2004 |
| Minimum unit pricing | In force since 2022 |
| Alcohol labelling | First country to legislate for cancer and liver warnings on labels |
| Vapes | Sale to under-18s prohibited; further restrictions in progress |
| Quit services | Free national stop smoking service with counselling and medication |
| Guidance | Low-risk limits of eleven standard drinks a week for women, seventeen for men |
In practice
- The national quit service is free and provides both counselling and medication.
- Nicotine replacement is available free through the service for those who qualify.
- Minimum unit pricing means very cheap alcohol no longer exists — budget accordingly if that was your pattern.
- Ask a GP about an alcohol assessment: it is brief and confidential.
Cost and coverage
The national quit service and its medication are free for those who qualify.
Recent changes
The alcohol health-warning labelling regulations, which would have made Ireland the first country in the world to require cancer warnings on alcohol, have been deferred from May 2026 to 2028. Minimum unit pricing and the workplace smoking ban remain in force.
Where to go
- HSE Quit service, free by phone and online.
- HSE alcohol and drug helpline.
- GP practices for assessment and referral.
Worth knowing
Ireland's alcohol labelling law is a world first and has been strongly contested by producers. It takes effect in 2026 and will apply to products sold in Ireland whatever their origin.
Frequently asked questions
When do alcohol warning labels start in Ireland?
Not in 2026. The regulations were due to apply from May 2026 but the government deferred them to 2028, citing costs for producers and trade concerns. When they do apply, labels will carry calorie and gram-of-alcohol information and warnings about pregnancy, liver disease and cancer.
What is minimum unit pricing?
A floor price per gram of alcohol, in force in Ireland since January 2022, which raises the cost of the cheapest strong drinks without affecting bars and restaurants much. It targets the products associated with the heaviest drinking rather than consumption in general.
The general article: Alcohol and tobacco · Compare with another country
General sources
- Citizens Information — official plain-language guide to rights and entitlements
- Irish Statute Book — legislation as enacted