Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regrettably, I cannot answer as to the specifics. I can only answer in the context of what is in the script provided by the Minister for Health. The Minister has asked me to assure the Senators that implementing the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 and ensuring access to services under the Act remains a priority for the Department of Health. All the indications are these services are both operating and available. They are being delivered throughout the country in hospitals and community settings.

The review of the operation of the Act required under section 7 gives us an opportunity to examine the matter in more detail and hear the views of all those involved, particularly women who have used the service. The review is being progressed this year and will be led by an independent expert. It is anticipated that a three-stranded approach will be taken to review the operation of the Act and that these strands will focus on women who have used the service, service providers and public consultation. Research to inform the service users and service providers strands will be commissioned and carried out independently and a public consultation will be held. Reading from that, it seems that there will be movement on the matter before the end of the year. The Minister is confident the information gathered during the review of the operation of the 2018 Act will provide us with evidence as to how to proceed in future, to continue to ensure the service mandated by the people in May 2018 is operating effectively.