Vol. 417 No. 7
72 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health if his Department will instruct the health boards to introduce aftercare services for Irish women who have had pregnancy terminations in Britain, in view of the increasing number of Irish women taking this option; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Obstetrics and gynaecology services are currently available to any women who wish to avail of such services in public general hospitals following pregnancy terminations in Britain.
In the area of psychological services, multidisciplinary teams of health professionals in each health board area provide the necessary support services, where needed.
Victims of sexual assault and rape who become pregnant as a result of such attacks and proceed to terminate the pregnancies in Britain can avail of support services both statutory and voluntary, for counselling and support to deal with the trauma of the assault and the after-effects of a termination of a pregnancy, where it arises.
In the area of services provided by voluntary bodies, I recognise, in particular, the valuable contribution of Rape Crisis Centres throughout the country in the support and counselling of victims of rape and sexual abuse. State funding of £152,000 for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and £25,000 for each of the five Rape Crisis Centres located in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Clonmel has been allocated for 1992 to ensure that the valuable work being carried out by the centres is continued.
