Ms Janice Donlon:

I thank Senator Gavan for the questions. The mandates certainly set out the exploring of other options. The way that we interpret the mandates, as set out by the crisis pregnancy legislation, is by providing non-directive and non-judgmental counselling. That is set out in the law also in respect of providing that level of support for women. We feel that counselling provides the space and the time for women to explore all of their options in a safe, secure and non-judgmental manner. We absolutely are not directive in any of our instructions around our mandates and we absolutely support the provision on non-directive, non-judgmental counselling. Counselling allows women the space and time to discuss all of her options, and to explore how each of the options may impact on her life. If the woman wants to explore the option of parenting she is given enough support and information to consider that and how it would impact on her individual set of circumstances.

The programme has provided funding over the years to other organisations to provide supports to those who choose to parent. A number of the organisations we fund provide support and training to one parent families and additional supports in that area. Equally, we provide funding to a crisis pregnancy counselling service that has expertise in adoption. If a woman chooses to explore that option she is given enough information to be able to make that decision. Our mandates allow us to ensure that women are directed towards counselling that is non-judgmental and non-directive. This is what we fund in counselling services.