Women aged between 17 and 25 currently have access to the scheme.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is currently seeking legal advice over plans to extend free contraception to 16-year-olds.
Earlier this week, the Government announced plans to extend free contraception to women aged between 16 and 30.
However, just days after announcing the scheme, Donnelly has been forced to seek legal advice because Ireland's age of sexual consent is 17.
The free contraception scheme is currently available to women aged between 17 and 25.
According to
The Irish Examiner, Donnelly is now waiting to see what lawyers say about the new scheme.
Many have stressed that it is unfair to take it away from teenagers because many of them will be using contraception, like the pill, for medical reasons.
Many young women rely on the pill to alleviate period symptoms.
The
free contraception scheme for women aged between 17 and 25 just came into effect in September.
Women aged between 17 and 25 can currently avail of the scheme at their GP office.
Some women are spending an average of €200 on contraception per year. The scheme covers the cost of the prescription, as well as the cost of a GP consultation.
It covers the cost of emergency contraception. It also covers the fitting and removal of long-lasting contraception options, such as implants, injections, IUDs, and the contraceptive patch.
