Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1840. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the detail of the advertising process implemented by the Government for the recruitment of the chair to oversee the three year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and the breakdown of the way and location of this tender has been advertised in order to attract a diverse field of prospective applicants. [2035/22]
View answer1869. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if he or the Government have advised formally or informally particular prospective candidates to apply for the position of chair to oversee the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2159/22]
View answer1877. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the advertising process implemented by the Government for the recruitment of the chair to oversee the three year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the manner in which and locations in which this tender has been advertised in order to attract a diverse field of prospective applicants. [2187/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1877, 1840 and 1869 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 section 7 of the 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 has now commenced. As part of the first phase of the review, I announced a public consultation (www.gov.ie/topreview) on the operation of the Act.
As I have stated previously, the review 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.
I have previously stated that an independent Chair will be appointed to lead the review later this month. In relation to the Deputies questions on the process involved, I can confirm that a small number of candidates, identified as having suitable experience for the position, were contacted and invited to apply for the role of independent Chair.
Upon completion of the review, a full report with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me as Minister for consideration.
