Minister awaiting legal advice on extending free contraception scheme to 16-year-olds

Minister Stephen Donnelly said: “My view is that the medical age of consent is 16, and if we are providing termination services free of charge to 16-year-olds, which we are, we must provide contraception free of charge to 16-year-olds."

Legal advice has been sought by the Minister for Health on plans to extend free contraception to 16-year-old girls, as 17 is the age of sexual consent.

The plan, included in the health budget for 2023, is hoped to offer females from 16 to 30 access to this support, increasing from the current limits of 17 to 25. Minister Stephen Donnelly clarified the lower age limit is dependent on the advice he receives.