Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to ensure safe access zones around facilities providing abortion services. [25132/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the area remains an ongoing priority for me, this Government and my Department, including progressing legislation this year.

Officials in my Department are actively engaging with stakeholders to work through the challenges, refine the policy position, and develop the necessary legislative approach. Stakeholders include other Government Departments and state bodies such as An Garda Síochána, the HSE, and the Department of Justice.

Subject to Government approval, I plan to progress legislation on safe access as part of the Government's legislative programme for 2022. As part of the legislative process, a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) will be completed which will consider impacts, including costs, if any, associated with implementing the proposed legislation.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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230. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to ensure equality-of-access to abortion services for women by ensuring national coverage. [25133/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.