Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
687. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the timeline and the process for the proposed review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the proposed methods for public input; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58963/21]
View answer689. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the terms of reference of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; when he will announce the appointment of a lead independent expert; when each of the strands of the review will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58975/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 689 together.
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under the section 7 of Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
The review of the operation of the Act is being progressed this year, in line with statutory and Government commitments, and will conclude in 2022.
As I have stated previously, an independent Chair will be appointed to lead the review, which 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. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review. An opportunity will be provided for interested groups, organisations, and members of the public to provide their views to inform the review.
