Bernard Allen
Ceist:557 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has established an agency to support women with crisis pregnancies; and if he will prepare and implement a national plan to prevent crisis pregnancies. [22058/01]
Written Answers. - Crisis Pregnancy Agency.
On 2 October 2001 I signed a statutory instrument to establish the Crisis Pregnancy Agency under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1961. The agency, working in partnership with appropriate Government and non-governmental agencies, will draw up a national strategy to address crisis pregnancy which will seek to reduce the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraception services; reduce the number of women with crisis pregnancies who opt for abortion by offering services and supports which make other options more attractive; and improve the provision of counselling and medical services after crisis pregnancy. The agency will also have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the strategy.
Funding of 6.5 million, £5.119 million, will be provided to the agency in 2002.