Those who can afford to pay for Hormone Replacement Therapy should do so, according to Shane Coleman.

The Newstalk Breakfast presenter was speaking after Health Minister Stephen Donnelly received Government approval for legislation for free HRT medication.

Free HRT was announced in Budget 2025 and will be available for all women experiencing menopause from next January.

Shane Coleman said he believes it should be means tested.

"I don't agree with universal benefits with non-means testing," he said.

"Free second-level education I think that's fine - it's been there for 50 years - I don't think its comparable.

"I think this is an election stunt by the Government to court the women's vote.

"For starters 50% of the population already get free HRT on their medical card, the rest of the population it's a maximum of €80 a month you pay in drugs.

"I just don't agree with the idea of giving something to people who can afford to pay for it already - I have a problem with that notion.

"Those kind of benefits should be targeted."

Shane said he thinks it "happened" with free contraception but suggests "at least you can make an argument with contraception that there is a public health benefit to that... you can't make that argument here.

"But I think if you can afford to pay you should pay".

'A public benefit'

Presenter Ciara Kelly said anything that supports women's health is to be welcomed.

"Women around the perimenopause, around menopause, drop out of the workplace hand over first - largely because of menopausal issues," she said.

"So there is also a public benefit to this if you can support women going through the menopause."

Ciara said she thinks free HRT is a good thing.

"I think sometimes giving something to everybody is OK - I think there cannot be a society where only one-half receives and one-half gives," she said.

"That's a society that would lead to resentment - I think this is a good thing.

"I think lots of women listening would think it's a good thing, too, " she added.

The scheme will fund the cost of HRT medicines, patches and devices.