Almost one in three people with a uterus encounter barriers when attempting to access the government’s free contraception scheme, according to a new report. The research, which was conducted by the National Women’s Council and Trinity College Dublin, and commissioned by the Department of Health, was based on a sample of 500 eligible individuals. 

The free contraception scheme, originally introduced in September 2022 for those aged 17 to 25, has since been expanded to include eligible individuals aged up to 35. It was designed to eliminate financial obstacles to reproductive healthcare and to reduce the incidence of crisis pregnancies, covering options such as the contraceptive pill and long-acting reversible methods, including implants and coils. 

However, the findings indicate that significant challenges remain. Approximately 31% of respondents reported difficulties in accessing the scheme, with particular impact on migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, Travellers and people with disabilities. Barriers cited include limited awareness of the scheme, age-related restrictions, difficulty accessing a GP, previous negative healthcare experiences, and experiences of intrusive questioning during consultations.

The report also highlights negative and misinformed attitudes among some healthcare providers towards marginalised groups. Disabled individuals reported that information about the scheme is often not available in accessible formats, while physical access to services remains limited. LGBTQ+ individuals and those part of the Traveller community described reluctance to engage with the scheme due to previous negative interactions with the healthcare system.

Personal testimonies stated within the report further illustrate the challenges faced, with one member of the queer community describing their experience: “Because my GP knew I was queer, it was a question of, ‘Sure, you’re gay, why would you need it?”

Another individual described their experience: “I couldn’t even say that my partner was trans. I knew not to mention it. I knew just to say ‘right ok let’s just use he – him pronouns, because if I had even brought up the idea of having a girlfriend at the time who was trans, my doctor wouldn’t be able to wrap his head around it”.

 

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The report also points to deeper issues of trust and past trauma. Some expressed hesitation in accessing services due to prior negative experiences, while others cited medical trauma as a barrier. Intrusive lines of questioning featured for many in the LGBTQ+ community.

The National Women’s Council has called for the removal of all eligibility restrictions, alongside the provision of information in multiple languages and accessible formats to better reach migrant and disabled individuals. It is also advocating for comprehensive gender sensitivity training across the health service, including anti-racism and anti-bias education.

Despite the free contraception scheme’s intentions, the report suggests that structural, cultural and interpersonal barriers continue to limit equitable access to reproductive healthcare.