As the Deputy may be aware, the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is being progressed this year, in line with statutory and Government commitments. It will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation.
Currently, under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 services for termination of pregnancy are available in this country in both hospital and community settings. There is regular ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to facilitate the smooth-running of the service and to resolve any issues that may arise.
It is Government policy that termination of pregnancy services, should be provided in all nineteen maternity hospitals. My Department continues to engage with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme in relation to plans for the further rollout of termination services in additional maternity hospitals/units.
In relation to the provision of termination services at the new National Maternity Hospital, I am absolutely committed to ensuring that all clinically appropriate and legally permissible services will be provided there, and I do not intend to bring any proposal to Government unless it achieves this.
