Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1237. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline as to when the remaining two maternity hospitals are due to be in a position to offer full termination of pregnancy services, as prescribed in the 2018 Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11644/24]
View answerCurrently 17 of the 19 maternity hospitals are providing full termination of pregnancy services, as prescribed in the 2018 Act, which includes termination in early pregnancy (i.e. under 12 weeks).
In the remaining two sites, Cavan and Clonmel, the introduction of the service is dependent on the recruitment of additional consultant obstetrician gynaecologists, which is progressing, as is the establishment of the appropriate referral and care pathways within those hospitals.
The HSE envisages that termination services in early pregnancy will commence in Cavan and Clonmel this year.
