Healthcare Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024

Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Questions (1236)

Patrick Costello

Question:

1236. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the position for an update in relation to the HSE-led implementation group considering the Joint Committee on Health report on the proposed legislative recommendations in the Marie O'Shea report; how many times have the group met since being established; who are the members of the group; to identify the ten work-streams identified by the group; when the draft implementation action plan is likely to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11643/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The final Report of the Review of the operation of the Health(Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was submitted to me at the end of February 2023. It made a range of recommendations, most of which are operational in nature, with some proposing legislative change.

The Report was considered by Cabinet on April 25th 2023. The HSE, as agreed by Government, has established an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations. The proposals recommending legislative changes were referred to the Joint Committee on Health for consideration.

In December 2023, the Joint Committee on Health issued a report on the proposed legislative recommendations. This is now being considered in my Department.

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the update on the operational recommendations.