Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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789. To ask the Minister for Health the status of plans to provide free access to termination of pregnancy services for women from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13499/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for public health services is based on a person being ordinarily resident in the State. This is the bedrock upon which our eligibility system for health services, and indeed many other public services, is founded. The necessary provisions were made in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to enable universal access for women living in the State to the services in question without charge. Women who live in Northern Ireland can access termination services in this jurisdiction but would, in effect, be doing so as private patients and would be subject to charges in this regard.

Any proposal to facilitate access without charge to termination-of-pregnancy services to women from Northern Ireland raises a number of legal and policy issues and therefore requires detailed examination. My Department intends therefore to undertake an examination of these issues, in conjunction with the Attorney General and other Government colleagues as necessary.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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790. To ask the Minister for Health if catchment areas apply for access to termination of pregnancy services in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13500/19]

Simon 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.