Health Promotion

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 November 2013

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Questions (195)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

195. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will carry out a health promotion programme to help protect Irish women by ensuring that they are made aware of the dangers of abortion and the fact that abortion has been a factor in the deaths of at least two women living here while another Irish woman almost died following an abortion in a clinic (details supplied) in Britain in recent times; if this programme will ensure that women are fully aware that death is a real risk following abortion; his plans to date and future plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49688/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme (formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Agency) is the national programme in charge of developing and implementing a national strategy to address the issue of crisis pregnancy in Ireland. One of its main objective is to improve access to consistent high-quality crisis pregnancy counselling and post-abortion services.

In relation to the Deputy's specific query, I have referred the matter to the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme for attention and direct reply to the Deputy, so that they may provide further details on their work in this area.