Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
703. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1364 of 24 March 2021, the names of the individuals and groups from whom he received representations in relation to lobbying for the introduction of the remote provision of abortion services telemedicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48328/21]
View answerAs part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together to put new arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.
For the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it will be possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e. before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
The arrangement enabling remote consultation will be reviewed once the public health emergency is declared over. There is regular ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise.
As I confirmed to the Deputy in March, representations were received in my Department from a range of organisations and individuals over the last year both in support of, and advocating against, the remote provision of termination of pregnancy services. Organisations which made representations requesting that the use of remote provision of services be considered included the HSE, the Dublin Well Woman Centre, the Irish Family Planning Association, the Southern Task Group on Abortion and Reproductive Topics (START) Doctors, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, and the Abortion Rights Campaign.
