Landmark gains for women in Budget 2023 – Carroll MacNeill

Budget 2023 has delivered significant benefits for women with landmark gains particularly in the area of women’s health, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, member of the Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality, said, “Fine Gael in Government has prioritised women’s issues, in particular women’s health, and I am delighted that Budget 2023 makes further progress in this regard. Some of the landmark gains for women in Budget 2023 were committed to under the Taskforce established by Minister Simon Harris after the repeal of the 8^th Amendment.

“There is new funding for BreastCheck, Cervical Check, National Cervical Screening Laboratory, and the implementation of the Scally/Expert reference Group recommendations. Funding has also been allocated to the national maternity strategy and gynaecology programmes.

“Women’s health hubs will also be expanded with increased funding for screening and other health services.

“In a significant new development, there will be supports for people accessing IVF, and although it will take time to build up, we are moving towards a publicly funded service in Ireland for the first time.

“Funding has been allocated to facilitate the reimbursement of morning sickness drug Cariban.

“We are extending access to the free contraception scheme to many more women, meaning those up to the age of 30 will now be able to avail of it.

“A HPV catch up programme is being implemented with the majority of expenditure going to support young women to avail of it.

“The Budget also addressed period poverty with the removal of Vat on new period products such as menstrual cups, period pants, and menstrual sponges to bring them in line with the zero rate on Vat on tampons and sanitary towels.

“We are removing Vat from HRT patches, gels and sprays, making these crucial medicines available to women who need them.

“On a broader level, this cost of living Budget will also ensure that working women get more support with childcare, stay at home parents benefit from with the home carers credit, and tax changes will put money back in people’s pockets.

“Fine Gael will continue to prioritise women and their health and build on the landmark wins for women in Budget 2023,” Deputy Carroll MacNeill said.