A delay to the promised roll out of free hormone replacement therapy has been described as an insult to women by Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney, who represents Dublin-Rathdown, said:
“To much fanfare, outgoing Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced free HRT for women suffering from symptoms of menopause – a €20 million budgetary measure that was supposed to come into effect from the start of this month.
“However, it has now emerged that the Department of Health has rowed back on this promise, offering only a vague commitment to introduce the scheme ‘as soon as possible’.
“This is a slap in the face for the thousands of women on HRT who had been expecting to see a reduction in their medical expenses from the start of 2025.
“The delay has also been met with deep frustration by pharmacists around the country, many of whom had expressed concern at the Department’s lack of preparedness for the roll out of this scheme.
“Despite the Minister describing State-funded HRT as an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of women’s healthcare in Ireland, it now appears that the previous government overpromised and underdelivered on this issue.
“The Department of Health must immediately explain the reasons for this unacceptable delay and outline what steps now need to be taken to get the scheme up and running.
“Consideration should also be given to reimbursing women for any HRT costs they incur between now and the eventual introduction of the initiative.”
January 3, 2025