Written answers

Tuesday, 5 February 2019

Department of Health

Abortion Services Provision

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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393. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the availability and national distribution of termination of pregnancy services in hospital settings; the number of hospitals providing termination of pregnancy services under sections 9 to 12, inclusive, of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the adequacy of hospitals to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5324/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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394. To ask the Minister for Health the legal guidance that has been provided to hospitals, general practitioners and specialist reproductive healthcare providers participating in termination of pregnancy services to support the implementation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5325/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, I published the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 on 1 October 2018. The Act was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 December 2018 and signed into law by the President on 20 December 2018.

The Act makes it clear that termination of pregnancy may be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman in an emergency situation; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Following the enactment of the legislation, I signed a number of Statutory Instruments into law on 21 December last. These include the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (Certification) Regulations 2018, which sets out the form to be used by medical practitioners who are certifying that a termination may be carried out; the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (Applications for Review) Regulations 2018, which sets out the form to be used where a person wishes to apply for a review of a medical decision; and the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (Notifications) Regulations 2018, which sets out the form to be used by medical practitioners when notifying me, as Minister, that a termination of pregnancy has been carried out.

Services for termination of pregnancy commenced on 1 January 2019.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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395. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the availability to women of a choice of method of abortion; the availability nationally of surgical termination of pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5326/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

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