Chair of the Oireachtas Women’s Caucus Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed Governments absolute commitment to women’s healthcare as demonstrated in the Senate today.
Senator O’Loughlin said, ” I was pleased to Chair the Senate today for the commencement on women’s healthcare, and the Government’s commitment to advancing the cause of women’s healthcare was clear.”
“I am pleased to see actions progressing behind the scenes in terms of the Provision of Period Poverty bill 2021, something that I have been working diligently with Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee and HSE officials on also.”
“The Department have committed €700,000 to implement solutions to tackle period poverty. It is welcome that the HSE are now working on an HSE led intervention in the South East to support the traveller and Roma communities and that most of the Local Authorities have submitted expressions of interest in terms of working with the Department and the HSE on period poverty schemes.”
“It was also particularly welcome to hear the Minister confirm that they hope to take action on free contraception, with €9 million available to roll this out for women aged 17 to 25. What is particularly welcome is to see that more than just oral contraceptives are being looked at. Contraceptive rings, implants, injections, coils and patches also to be included.”
“Finally, the commitment in relation to the menopause clinics was also most welcome with Budget 2022 committing to the establishment of 3 new clinics in Galway Cork and Limerick and it is positive to see the department proactively working on this.”
Fiona concluded by saying “There has been a clear focus by Minister Donnelly and his officials on advancing the cause of women’s health across period poverty, contraception and menopause- and I am pleased to be able to support Government with these initiatives.”