Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 7

Written Answers. - Green Paper on Abortion.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

30 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of occasions on which the Cabinet Committee preparing the Green Paper on abortion has met; when it is expected that the Green Paper will be published, having regard to his earlier statements that it would be published during summer 1998; the latest figures available to him on the numbers of Irish women having terminations in the United Kingdom; the proposals, if any, he has to reduce the numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23827/98]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

91 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, to date in preparing a Green Paper on abortion; and when it will be published. [23965/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 91 together.

The Cabinet committee established to oversee the preparation of a Green Paper on Abortion has met on two occasions. Work on the drafting of the Green Paper is proceeding. When the drafting has been completed I intend to convene another meeting of the Cabinet committee, when it will commence consideration of the draft. Publication of the Green Paper must await a final decision of the Government in due course. I acknowledge that the process is taking longer than expected but I would point out that any dates given by me are at all times indicative, pending final approval by Government.

Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics, London indicate that 5,336 women resident in Ireland had legal abortions carried out in England and Wales in 1997. The latest quarterly figures available are in respect of the quarter ending 30 June 1998 and these indicate that 1,495 women resident in Ireland had legal abortions carried out in England and Wales during this period. This compares to a figure of 1,352 for the same period last year and represents an increase of 10.58 per cent.

Since 1995 my Department has provided substantial funding for pregnancy counselling services for women with crisis pregnancies. In 1998 this funding amounted to £700,000. Funding is also allocated to health boards in respect of family planning services being provided by the boards themselves and by voluntary agencies and general practitioners. In 1998 the amount provided was £1.935 million. Following publication of the "Women and Crisis Pregnancy" study earlier this year my Department asked health boards to review the adequacy of family planning and counselling services in their areas and, in the light of the study's findings, to indicate what service developments they considered appropriate. A number of proposals have been made by the health boards and I expect that additional funding for the further development of services will be available in the context of the 1999 Estimates.