The Department of Health announced six specialist menopause clinics in recent weeks. This is very welcome in standardising women's health in Ireland. There is an issue with staffing but it is to be hoped that can be overcome. The issue I have been contacted about by a number of women in my constituency is in regard to the price. If a person does not have a medical card, he or she will have to pay an initial charge of €150 and €75 thereafter. We have been speaking about universal healthcare and about Sláintecare. People who do not have a medical card are burdened with that price. Can this be reviewed in the future in order that people can access this healthcare for free?

We will have the six menopause clinics up and running this year. I opened the one in the Rotunda just last week. The feedback we are getting from patients and practitioners is incredibly positive. Specifically on the specialist clinics, those services are free for everybody. Whether someone has a medical card, a GP card or nothing, the specialist clinic is free. Where there is a charge is for women who are engaging with their GP. Some of the GPs are charging more because they say it is an extended consultation. It is something I am aware of. It has been brought to my attention in recent weeks and it is something I would like to see explored.