Susan O’Donnell, IPU Professional Services Pharmacist, attended the launch of the research report Beyond Availability: Women’s Experiences of The Free Contraception Scheme (FCS) at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission on 22 April 2026.

The National Women’s Council (NWC), in collaboration with the Department of Health at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), during 2025, developed research investigating the experiences of marginalised women with the FCS. This research aimed to provide an initial perspective of women’s experiences when accessing contraception under the FCS, which has been in operation since 2022. This research showed that nearly one in three women may experience barriers to access the FCS.

The launch brought together the Department of Health, HSE, and different organisations and stakeholders that work in the space of sexual and reproductive health care, including the IPU.

The insights of the research were discussed, including marginalised groups’ awareness, understanding and knowledge of the FCS, and their experiences of accessing contraception more broadly were highlighted.

A sample size of 500 migrant women, LGBTIQ+ people, Traveller women, and disabled women were surveyed, and four focus groups also took place. 36 per cent of those who responded to the survey said they thought there were barriers to the scheme, with 31 per cent of respondents having experienced barriers.

The main barriers identified included being ineligible for the scheme, difficulties in accessing a GP, and not having access to information in a suitable format. Marginalised women identified a number of additional barriers:

• Migrant women had low awareness of the scheme, despite good awareness in the population overall. Disabled women highlighted that information was not readily available in accessible formats, or that access to services was limited;
• There may be cultural beliefs shaping attitudes to contraception, which create barriers to access, particularly in Traveller and migrant communities. Traveller women discussed the dynamics of coercive control and abuse when it comes to reproductive autonomy. These communities, alongside disabled women, also expressed discomfort at discussing contraception with male GPs; and
• Some Traveller women were reluctant to access the scheme due to previous experiences with the health system and resulting low trust. Past medical traumas around disabled women’s impairments and migrant women’s experiences of FGM were among reported impediments to accessing the FCS through healthcare providers. Intrusive questioning also featured for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Following the presentation of the results, attendees engaged with discussion and reflection on how to improve and involve women in all their diversity.

The research report can be read in full at nwci.ie > Publications.