Abortion Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023

Monday, 11 September 2023

Questions (1611)

John Lahart

Question:

1611. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has established an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations made in the Report of the Independent Review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the chair and membership of the group and its relationship with the Clinical Advisory Forum on termination of pregnancy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37675/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Report of the Review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was considered by Cabinet at the end of April. The Report made a range of recommendations, most of which are operational in nature with some proposing legislative change.

Government agreed that the HSE would establish an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations.

Significant progress is being made in respect of various recommendations in the Report. The HSE has advised that a significant number of additional sites will be introducing termination services in the coming months. Legislation providing for safe access zones has been initiated in the Houses and it is my intention to enact it before the end of the year.

The proposals around legislative change have been referred to the Joint Committee on Health for consideration.

Question No. 1612 answered with Question No. 1581.