Sharon Keogan (Independent)

Last Friday evening, the Department of Health published its report on the number of abortion notifications received for 2024. The figure, totalling 10,852, is the highest yet on record. It represents a 63% increase in the abortion rate in 2024 by contrast with 2019, when 6,666 abortion notifications were received. To put it more starkly, newly released data means that at least one in six pregnancies were aborted, excluding miscarriages. This is a harrowing statistic and something we should all reflect on. It underlines the need for serious action by the Government to address the abortion rate, which continues to soar to horrifying new heights annually. More supports are needed for women in unplanned pregnancies to ensure no woman feels like she has no choice but to have an abortion. We also need to ensure that a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering her options is truly given her options, including information about social welfare entitlements, parent support and adoption. I draw attention to the fact that the Department of Health issued a publication on its website late on Friday evening with no known associated press release. This meant that the news of the sky-high abortion figures did not receive much media attention and swiftly fell out of the news cycle. I am doubtful that this was just a coincidence. Under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the Minister is required to issue a report of the previous year's abortion notifications, which is to be prepared by 30 June. It felt like the Government was just publishing this important data due to the statutory obligations but hoped it would receive as little public attention and scrutiny as possible. The revelation of 10,852 abortions last year has not received the proper attention it deserves. This should generate a national debate about our current abortion policy and raises questions about how the Government can try to reduce the spiralling abortion rate.