Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 5

Written Answers - Pregnancy Counselling Services.

Liz McManus

Question:

201 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether agencies which describe themselves as providing advice and counselling services to women in a crisis pregnancy should be regulated; his plans to bring forward statutory regulations relating to these services; if he will consider extending the role of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to act as the regulatory body for such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8464/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am advised by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency that the National University of Ireland, Galway, was commissioned to conduct extensive research regarding the type of pregnancy counselling services provided nationally. This report is being finalised and the agency expects to be in receipt of it by the end of April. The agency will be in a position to suggest how pregnancy counselling services can best be provided once the findings of this report have been considered.