Women to receive equal wig and mastectomy product grants after cancer treatment
It follows a discrepancy that meant some women were entitled to a higher allowance depending on where they lived
All women who have undergone cancer treatment will now receive the same grants for post-mastectomy and hair loss products, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed.
It follows a discrepancy that meant some women were entitled to a higher allowance depending on where they lived.
The Fianna Fáil TD has confirmed that €2m will be allocated next year to ensure that all women receive the same support regardless of where in Ireland they are.
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Funding for the supports has been doubled from the €1m available in 2024.
Access to post-mastectomy and hair loss products has previously been provided, but the level of grant payment depended on where a woman lived due to a "degree of local variation".
The change will end this inconsistency while also ensuring that no woman already accessing products will have her access reduced.
There is a higher allowance for those who have undergone a double mastectomy. After the product has been supplied to the woman, the supplier makes a claim to the HSE for reimbursement.
In September, Minister Donnelly confirmed that supports for a prosthesis bra ranged between €43 to €75 per bra, depending on the county a person resides in.
Support for a breast prosthesis varied from €68.50 to €250, while swimwear ranged from €80 to €85 for swimsuit and €50 to €65 for swim prosthesis.
The grants for wigs or hair pieces could be as little as €450 or €770 per year.
All women will now be entitled to the same supports.
Mr Donnelly said: "I recognise the challenges faced by many women during and after cancer treatment. I know that these products have an important role in the lives of many people and that reassurance regarding access to them is very much necessary, which is why I allocated further funding of €2 million for 2025 for their provision.
"I’m therefore very happy to announce that the HSE has commenced a plan to ensure that access to these products is fair for all women in Ireland who have undergone cancer-related treatment."
The change was previously announced by Minister Donnelly as part of Budget 2025.
It was welcomed by the Marie Keating Foundation in October, who said it would mean that all women would have "equal access to allowances for items such as prosthetic bras, breast prostheses, swimwear, wigs and hairpieces as needed."
"These products play a significant role in helping women regain confidence and comfort following surgery and treatment for breast cancer," they said.
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