Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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465. To ask the Minister for Health to publish, without further delay, the Health Service Executive standards for bereavement care following pregnancy loss and perinatal death, including reference to fatal foetal abnormalities so that consistent compassionate standards can be applied across the health service. [19205/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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468. To ask the Minister for Health to ensure that suitable post-loss counselling services are available to affected family members within a short time frame in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities. [19208/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 468 together.

I addressed the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities in Dail Eireann last Thursday during the debate on Deputy Wallace's Private Members Bill.

Aside from the constitutional issues raised by the United Nations Human Rights Committee's findings in the case of Amanda Mellet v Ireland, I was distressed by Ms Mellet's experience of services that should have worked for her but clearly did not.

Consequently I have asked the HSE to report to me this week on the clinical and counselling services in place to support women and their families who have to deal with a pre-natal diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality. I am also considering within the law what other services and responses can be put in place to help women in these terrible circumstances.

The development of appropriate bereavement care services is an important step in the overall development of quality services within the maternity services, and this is recognised in the National Maternity Strategy - Creating a Better Future Together2016-2026. The HSE has been working to develop an extensive set of standards focusing on the area of pregnancy and perinatal loss. I have therefore asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the timing of the publication of those Standards. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.