Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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366. To ask the Minister for Health if the two cases referred to in his 2016 annual review of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 resulted in early deliveries; and if those two cases are included or excluded in the annual report total of 25 cases. [32096/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 Report on Reviews in 2016 was compiled and published by the Health Service Executive under section 15 (1) of the Act. It confirms that two cases were the subject of review under the Act during 2016, and that both applications were found to meet the criteria for a lawful termination of pregnancy under the provisions of the Act.

The Department of Health does not hold records on reviews carried out under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 or on whether or not medical procedures took place as a result of such reviews. Records held in the Department of Health are limited to notifications of procedures carried out under the Act. Reports under the Act are anonymised so as to protect women who have had terminations and their medical practitioners.

Medical procedures carried out under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 are subject to strict patient confidentiality, in line with guidance on confidentiality in medical practice as set out in the current Medical Council Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners. It is not appropriate for the Department of Health to be involved in or to comment on individual medical cases.