A plan to provide free hormone replacement therapy for women experiencing symptoms of menopause has been described as "a huge move forward".
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was due to seek Government approval for legislation to allow free HRT from January at a meeting of the Cabinet this morning.
Mr Donnelly announced plans for a publicly funded scheme for HRT in Budget 2025 and allocated €20 million for the measure.
On average it could save women between €360 and €840 a year based on current monthly payments.
The scheme will allow for the cost of HRT products to be paid for by the State, where it has been deemed clinically appropriate for a woman and is prescribed to her by her healthcare provider.
If legislation is not passed before January, free HRT can still be provided for on an administrative basis, until the legislation is passed.
It is intended to pass the legislation through a Committee Stage Amendment to the annual Health Insurance Bill, which is expected to pass the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
Plans for continued support for women's health measures, including increased access to IVF and Hormone Replacement Therapy free of charge were also included in Budget 2025.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Dr Deirdre Lundy, Clinical Lead at the Complex Menopause Clinic in the National Maternity Hospital, said there are "people who desperately need comfort and relief and support, especially the younger cohort of females, but they struggle to pay for it".
Dr Lundy explained that the more expensive products, like gels, patches and sprays, tend to be more costly than the "older-fashioned" products, like oral-estrogen.
"That won't be a consideration anymore, as we’ll be able to provide generally."
