Donnelly to seek approval for free HRT scheme for women

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will seek Government approval for legislation to allow free HRT from January for women experiencing symptoms of menopause.

Minister 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.

Minister Donnelly intends to commence free HRT products from January 2025 and underpin the scheme in legislation.

If legislation is not passed before then, 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.

While Minister for Finance Jack Chambers will bring the National Payment strategy to Cabinet for approval.

The strategy will make it a requirement for all Government departments and State bodies to accept cash or facilitate cash payments.

Minister Chambers will tell Cabinet colleagues that cash remains the preferred form of payment for many people in society, particularly older people, and it is important they continue to be able to use it in their day to day lives.

The strategy also sets out that any future contracts agreed between Government departments and third parties which seek payment from the public must also include cash payments.

Minister for Housing Darragh O' Brien will bring an action plan to Cabinet to get more planners in order to speed up the delivery of homes and infrastructure.

This will include an increase in the number of student places available on accredited planning courses.

It will see a relocation scheme introduced to encourage planners from this country who are working abroad to return home.

There will also be a targeted recruitment campaign in the UK and European Economic Area to attract professional planners to Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will ask Government to appoint a new Deputy Commissioner of An Garda Síochána to fill the role that has been vacant since last March

This follows an open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service.

It is understood there was a number of applicants for the position and there was a strong competition for the role.