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The Journal
3 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Trans women facing confusion over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme
THE ELIGIBILITY OF transgender women under the free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) scheme has sparked significant confusion among pharmacies. The Journal has spoken to several trans women about their experiences with the scheme. They report inconsistent approaches from pharmacies, with some trans women granted free HRT under the scheme, while others are denied. The Irish Pharmacy Union has confirmed to The Journal that they are seeking clarity on the issue from the Department of Health. A spokesperson for the organisation has said that 'there has been some confusion in practice as to the eligibility of certain prescriptions'. This is because some HRT medications, which are used to relieve symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause, can also be prescribed to transgender people as part of gender-affirming healthcare. For those who have had an orchiectomy, HRT can be the sole source of their hormones, making it incredibly important to their ability to function normally. The legislation which gave power to the free HRT scheme does not specifically exclude transgender women from the scheme. Instead, it states that 'women who are ordinarily resident in the State and have been prescribed menopause products by a registered medical practitioner…and who are supplied with the menopause products from a pharmacy provider shall not be charged.' Adding to the confusion, the Minister of Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, was asked in March by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy whether trans women would be eligible under the scheme. But the Minister did not provide a clear answer, instead stating that the scheme covers HRT products 'which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause'. A spokesperson for the Department of Health echoed this statement when asked by The Journal . But many in the trans community argue that some of them do experience the same menopausal symptoms as other women if they stop taking HRT. They also argue that, as they have prescriptions for the same medicines as on the prescribed list, they should be entitled to access free HRT under the scheme. 'We are used to fighting for everything' The lack of clarity on the situation is leading to inconsistencies among pharmacies in their approach to transgender women seeking HRT under the scheme. The Journal has heard from several transgender people about their experiences with pharmacists. Niamh*, a trans woman living in Dublin, was denied free HRT under the scheme in June and again in July. She told The Journal that as she is post-orchiectomy, she should be covered under medically induced menopause – something that is specifically outlined in the legislation. Advertisement But when she asked the pharmacy if she was covered, she was told that because the products weren't being used to treat menopause, the pharmacy wouldn't be reimbursed. 'Going off HRT would literally be dangerous for me,' Niamh said. She added that while she can afford to pay for it, others can't, which is why the scheme was introduced in the first place. Confusingly, another trans woman who spoke to The Journal said that she has been able to access her prescription for free under the scheme from the very same pharmacy. Caoimhe, a trans woman from Cork, also told The Journal that she has also been forced to pay for HRT like before since the rollout of the scheme. Like others we spoke to, this HRT is 'medically necessary' in her case. But when she asked if she would be covered under the scheme, her pharmacy was unsure and didn't seem to have a clear answer. 'Without trying to be too critical of them, they were signed up to the scheme, but they didn't seem to have the clarity as to whether I was eligible or not,' she said. Caoimhe said that having to ask to even be considered under the scheme is 'utterly exhausting'. 'We are used to fighting for everything', she continued, 'this is what we're used to, and it's disappointing.' 'Unclear guidance from the Department of Health is creating unnecessary confusion and placing barriers in the way of equitable care,' a spokesperson for the Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland told The Journal . They added that pharmacists are 'ready and willing' to provide free HRT to trans women under the scheme, but 'they need confirmation from the Department of Health that trans people are included in the scheme.' They called on the Department to address the confusion, adding that 'trans people should be included without ambiguity'. A spokesperson for the Department told The Journal that 'there are no plans to expand the eligibility of this measure at this point.' The HSE also referred to the Department of Health for comment. *Name has been changed — Conor O'Carroll is an investigative reporter with The Journal Investigates . Our investigative unit is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. This takes time and it takes resources. Find out how you can help: Support The Journal Investigates Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
05-08-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Only 100 free-of-charge car parking spaces at new children's hospital not enough, say critics
OF THE 1,000 car parking spaces that will be available at the new National Children's Hospital, just 100 of them will be free-of-charge for families in need. It was revealed two years ago that car parking charges at the children's hospital will be capped at a maximum of €10 per day, something which sparked controversy at the time. In answering a parliamentary question, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the car park will be split across two floors of the new hospital with a total of 994 car park spaces. There are 319 spaces dedicated to staff and 675 for patients and families, of which 100 spaces are for those who will not be required to pay for parking, she confirmed. The new National Children's Hospital Ireland is located in the heart of south central Dublin city on the grounds of the wider St James' Hospital campus. Patients attending the hospital are encouraged to use public transport 'where possible' with just a limited of number of onsite parking with direct access to the main entrance. Access to the National Children's Hospital Ireland on the St. James' Campus is well served by public transport, said the health minister, though she acknowledged there is a need for families to access the hospital by car. However, Sinn Féin's David Cullinane has hit out at the government for giving over such a small number of free car parking spaces to families. Advertisement Government watering down promises Speaking to The Journal , he accused the government of watering down its previous promises around capping car parking charges in hospitals. 'My view is that car parking charges should be phased out in hospitals, but particularly when you're talking about children. There is a cost of a child being sick. Parents have to take time off work. Parents can be up and down the hospital a lot. 'Obviously, with a sick child, parents need to be there more often. So for all of those reasons, I've contended that all of the spaces should be free [at the new hospital],' he said. 'For only 100 of them to be free, it doesn't seem fair and doesn't seem right. As we transition to the new site, hopefully sometime next year, I would hope that the right decision will be made to ensure that car parking spaces are free,' said the Waterford TD. Promise to cap charge Hospital car park charges have been a contentious issue for a number of years. In 2018, the HSE undertook a national review of car parking charges at the request of the then-health minister Simon Harris. It recommended that hospitals should cap the maximum daily rate for parking at €10 and introduce concessions for regular patients and found that 'funding of approximately €4.75m would be required to offset the reduction in income as a result of these changes'. Reducing hospital parking costs became a key promise in the 2020 Programme for Government but there was little progress on the issue over the last five years. There are huge regional disparities in parking costs. According to the Irish Cancer Society, cancer patients in Dublin can pay up to five times more than those in rural areas. However, despite this being a key talking point for the last number of years, in particular as the 2026 opening date for the new children's hospital gets closer, the new Programme for Government has done away with a commitment to cap parking fees and now merely promises to 'explore further ways to reduce hospital car parking charges'. Related Reads Minister says wing of new children's hospital might be named after medic Kathleen Lynn The country's new children's hospital will be called (drumroll) – the National Children's Hospital Ireland Children's hospital may not open until 2026 due to 'risks' of moving sick children during winter The government's commitment on parking charges has been 'watered down' in the new Programme for Government, Cullinane said. Under Sinn Féin's policy, hospital charges would be phased out over a period of time, he said, stating that obviously, like any measure, it costs a lot of money and might be difficult to do in one go. 'But I don't have confidence that the government is going to do any more than what they have done,' he said, adding that the previous health minister Stephen Donnelly had expressed an opinion that car parking charges should be free. 'What we're seeing now in the new Programme for Government, in my view, is a rolling back of that, a watering down of it, with no detail as to what is actually meant in the programme for government. 'Now we have a situation where the new Children's Hospital potentially could have the vast majority of spaces at a cost and I think that's unacceptable, given that we're talking about sick children and parents visiting sick children. So the government needs to do the right thing and ensure that they're free from day one,' added Cullinane. Outsourcing hospital car parks Labour's health spokesperson Marie Sherlock agreed, expressing concern over the outsourcing of car parks to profit-maximising companies. She suggested that the new hospital should directly manage parking and therefore could increase free or low-cost spaces. 'The whole point of constructing these hospitals is that people are coming from right across the country and they will have to drive. They will not be there for short periods, they'll be there for long periods of time, either as an inpatient or outpatient. So the reality is that we have to have an accommodating situation with regards to car parking in the new National Children's Hospital,' said Sherlock. She said people are angry and upset over the high cost of parking charges at hospitals stating that there's a real responsibility with this new public building that patients and their families would be accommodated to much greater degree. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Euractiv
30-07-2025
- Health
- Euractiv
Ireland's ‘compassionate' justice and mental health strategy aims to avoid prison return
The Irish government has published the second annual progress report of the High-Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction, highlighting a series of cross-departmental initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with mental health and addiction issues who encounter the criminal justice system. The report, released on 28 July, outlines developments between September 2023 and September 2024, including the national rollout of Mental Health First Aid training to An Garda Síochána (Ireland's police force), the launch of the Community Access Support Team (CAST) pilot in Limerick, and progress on a dual diagnosis service in Cork Prison. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill placed particular emphasis on the need for a compassionate, integrated response. 'The High-Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction recognised the importance of taking a compassionate, whole-person approach to supporting people with mental health and addiction challenges who come into contact with the criminal justice system,' she said. 'Many of the Taskforce's recommendations build on what's already in place, aiming to strengthen the connections between services. This joined-up approach is designed to offer more consistent, meaningful support to individuals navigating both the justice and health systems,' she added. Avoiding incarceration Carroll MacNeill also pointed to the health sector's progress in developing alternatives to incarceration. 'A particular focus has been on creating real, person-centred alternatives through Diversion initiatives, ensuring that care is better integrated and more responsive to the needs of this small but highly vulnerable group,' she noted. The Taskforce, a joint initiative between the Departments of Health and Justice, was established following the publication of its foundational report in 2022. Its Steering Committee includes representatives from the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, and An Garda Síochána. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the report's publication, noting that it can help 'reduce the likelihood of future offending.' Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler highlighted the expansion of the Central Mental Hospital and the development of Crisis Resolution Teams as key achievements. She also referenced the Mental Health Bill, which concluded its passage through the Dáil on 9 July 2025. The new policing model An Garda Síochána has played a central role in implementing the Taskforce's recommendations, particularly through the CAST pilot in Limerick. The initiative, part of the broader 'Policing Service for the Future' strategy, is designed to support individuals experiencing situational trauma or mental health crises. A Garda spokesperson told Euractiv: 'The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland stated that societal-wide issues such as the mental health of individuals are not the responsibility of An Garda Síochána alone… [recommending] the establishment of multi-agency teams (Crisis Intervention Team) that would include Gardaí to respond to the needs of individuals with mental health issues.' The CAST project, a partnership between An Garda Síochána and HSE Mid-West Mental Health Services, exemplifies this inter-agency approach. It is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division. The Gardaí have also embedded mental health awareness into their operational framework. Over 3,500 personnel have received Mental Health First Aid training under a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Mental Health First Aid Ireland in June 2023. In line with the new Policing Model, Gardaí are equipped to respond to critical incidents involving mental health crises. 'There are trained Garda Negotiators, Operational Commanders in every Garda Region throughout the country,' the spokesperson said. 'In recent years, An Garda Síochána has put a significant emphasis on our role as the first line of defence of the human rights of all people we come into contact with.' Ireland's efforts to reform the intersection of mental health, addiction, and the criminal justice system are being significantly underpinned by European Union policy and funding, aligning national priorities with broader EU objectives on public health, social inclusion, and human rights. The strategic and financial support from Brussels has enabled Ireland to advance initiatives such as the High-Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction, which seeks to divert vulnerable individuals away from incarceration and toward integrated care pathways. Convergence with EU priorities Ireland's national mental health strategy, 'Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone', is closely aligned with EU-level frameworks, including the EU Health Strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights. These frameworks advocate for universal access to quality healthcare, with mental health increasingly recognised as a core component of public health policy. Ireland has also tapped into several EU funding streams to support its reform agenda. These include: European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), EU4Health Programme: and the Justice Programme. These funds are being used to scale up initiatives such as the Community Access Support Team (CAST) pilot in Limerick and the national rollout of mental health training for Gardaí. As Ireland continues to embed a more humane and coordinated approach to mental health within its justice system, EU policy and funding remain critical enablers. They are reinforcing the country's commitment to reform while anchoring it within a broader European vision of inclusive, rights-based public health at a time of rising drug use in Ireland and a mental health crisis, particularly amongst young people. By Brian Maguire
The Irish Sun
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
What is synthetic cannabinoid HHC and why has it been classified as illegal drug in Ireland by the Government?
HERE'S everything you need to know about HHC, the synthetic cannabinoid that's been banned by the government. Also known as Hexahydrocannabinol, the Advertisement 3 The substance originally comes from the cannabis plant Credit: Alamy 3 The drug can be sold in e-cigarettes, vapes, jellies, and cakes Credit: Alamy It's a semi-synthetic cannabinoid which comes from the It has joined a list of 13 other substances categorised under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as a Schedule 1 controlled drug. The 14 substances were identified by the This means that the export, import, possession, production, sale, or supply of the product is banned. Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS This is because the substance produces many of the same effects as cannabis, another banned drug in Ireland. The Collapse, withdrawals after frequent use, and a stronger type of intoxication than cannabis are also potential side effects. According to the Department of Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun The substance was first detected in Ireland in 2022. Since then, it has been sold in the form of e-cigarettes, vape pens, oils, herbal mixtures, and jellies. What do cannabis plants look and smell like? But health bosses told They said: "Researchers in University Hospital Advertisement The National Drug Treatment Recording System estimate that between January 1, 2024 and July 25, 2025, 221 cases were reporting HHC as a main or additional problem drug. And there are concerns that HHC is reaching a younger audience of teenagers. NEGATIVE IMPACT Similar to disposable It's also believed that consistently using the substance can have a negative impact on the user's mental health. Advertisement And Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed the move. She said: 'The sale of HHC as vapes, in attractive packaging, or in edible jelly form, is a marketing ploy aimed at young people, which masks the fact that this drug is harmful for youth 'HEALTH-LED APPROACH' 'Under the successor national drugs strategy, I'm committed to reviewing legal avenues to respond faster and more effectively to emerging threats from by the volatile drugs market. "In line with our health-led approach to drug use, our priority is to advance measures that enable us to protect and support the health of our population.' Advertisement Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler said: "A recent study showed HHC was involved in a third of first-time psychosis cases at University "This is clear evidence of the serious harm it can cause. "Classifying HHC as a Schedule 1 controlled drug will curtail its availability and reduce its health impact, particularly on the mental health of younger people. "Measures like this are essential to easing the pressure on our mental health services and protecting individuals, especially those unaware of the risks, from avoidable and significant harm." Advertisement 3 HHC has now been labelled an illegal substance in Ireland Credit: Alamy
Irish Independent
29-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Government classifies cannabinoid HHC as illegal drug
HHC, which has similar effects to cannabis, has been categorised as a schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. This means that the import, export, production, possession, sale, and supply of products containing HHC have now become illegal. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) has been commonly sold as e-cigarettes or vape pens, in herbal mixtures, oils, edible jellies, cakes and as tinctures, the Department of Health said in a statement. HHC is one of 14 new substances, including synthetic opioids and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, that have just been classified as controlled drugs. It comes after the EU and the UN Commission for Narcotic Drugs identified them as posing a serious risk to public health. The Department of Health said "synthetic drugs are harmful and addictive' and 'controlling these substances will safeguard public health against drug-related harm'. "In line with the health-led approach to drug use, the Department of Health is also increasing capacity in drug treatment services and expanding education and prevention initiatives,' they added. While announcing the ban, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, called the sale of HHC as vapes a 'marketing ploy'. "The sale of HHC as vapes, in attractive packaging, or in edible jelly form, is a marketing ploy aimed at young people, which masks the fact that this drug is harmful for youth mental health and can be addictive,' she said. "Under the successor national drugs strategy, I'm committed to reviewing legal avenues to respond faster and more effectively to emerging threats from by the volatile drugs market. "In line with our health-led approach to drug use, our priority is to advance measures that enable us to protect and support the health of our population." HHC has been linked with episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation since it was first detected in Ireland in 2022. A recent study by researchers in University Hospital Galway found that HHC was the second most common drug used by patients presenting with psychosis over a 21-month period. Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, said HHC was 'involved in a third of first-time psychosis cases' at the University Hospital Galway. 'Classifying HHC as a schedule 1 controlled drug will curtail its availability and reduce its health impact, particularly on the mental health of younger people,' she said. Minister for Public Health, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, said HHC and 'other synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs' are a 'grave threat to public health'. "Controlling HHC and other harmful substances is an important step that must be complemented by education and prevention programmes so that young people and parents are better informed about the risks associated with drug use,' she said. "We know that HHC is responsible for hospitalisations and psychotic episodes, and that there are many people today struggling with addiction as a result of this and similar drugs,' she added. Ms Murnane O'Connor urged people who are seeking help to contact the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline.
