Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
135. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland’s abortion laws have been described by members of the United Nations Human Rights Committee as inhumane and discriminatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37648/22]
View answerThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018. Expanded termination of pregnancy services have been available since 1 January 2019.The Act allows termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
This is in line with the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which published its report and recommendations in December 2017.
As the Deputy is aware, prior to the May 2018 Referendum on the 8th Amendment, the General Scheme of the Bill to regulate termination of pregnancy was published. The final legislation enacted is consistent with the published proposals.
In respect of the operation of termination of pregnancy services, terminations up to 9 weeks of pregnancy are provided in the community setting by General Practitioners. There are approximately 412 GPs across Ireland providing termination services. Terminations up to 12 weeks of pregnancy are currently available in 11 maternity hospitals. The Department of Health 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.
Access to termination of pregnancy services is provided without charge for women who are ordinarily resident in the State.
