James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I applaud the sentiment behind this amendment. It has been deemed out of order because of the consequences for the Exchequer but I hope that the Deputy will be reassured to know that women in Ireland are entitled to appropriate and comprehensive post-abortion care. Medical practitioners in Ireland have a duty to provide care, support and follow-up services for women who have an abortion abroad. In addition, the HSE, through its crisis pregnancy programme funds the provision of post-abortion medical check-up and post-abortion counselling services. It has been rolling out a campaign to increase awareness among women that post-abortion services have been available in Ireland for a number of years now. The abortion aftercare campaign, which consists of targeted on-line and print advertisements, encourages women who have had an abortion to attend for post-abortion medical check-up and promotes the availability of free post-abortion counselling. All women who have a termination of pregnancy are entitled to these services which are provided free of charge. This affords us an opportunity to make women aware that these services are there, they are non-judgmental and women should avail of them if appropriate.