Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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324. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of his review of the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995 in order that the law related to giving false information on terminations of pregnancy is strengthened (details supplied) [40394/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In relation to crisis pregnancy counselling, a primary concern of Government is the protection of the public when availing of health or social care services. A crisis pregnancy is perhaps one of the most stressful events in a woman’s life and therefore places her in a very vulnerable position. Positive Options, a crisis pregnancy service which is funded and overseen by the Health Service Executive, provides counselling in 50 locations nationwide and provides women with free, non-judgemental counselling.

I am aware, however, that some other bodies providing counselling may not adhere to the same standards. The Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995 defines the conditions under which information relating to abortion services lawfully available in another state might be made available in Ireland. That Act provides that where information is provided that would assist a woman in obtaining a termination abroad, that information must be truthful and objective and that a breach of this provision is an offence. If an individual considers that information provided under the Act is not truthful and objective the matter may be referred to the Garda Síochána for investigation.

As the Deputy will be aware, work is ongoing on regulating counsellors generally under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Pregnancy counselling (other than that provided by doctors, nurses or social workers) will be taken into account in this context. The Department of Health is preparing the necessary regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and of psychotherapist, which it is hoped will be ready for submission to both Houses of the Oireachtas for approval during this Dáil session.

As well as regulating counsellors under the 2005 Act, consideration will be given as towhether there is a requirement to strengthen the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995 to prevent professionals who are not regulated by the State from providing crisis pregnancy counselling services.