Each health board is obliged to ensure that an equitable, accessible and comprehensive family planning service is provided in its area. The Department issued guidelines to the health boards in 1995 on the provision of family planning services to all persons in their area who need such services. These services are provided primarily through general practitioners, non-governmental organisations and, to some extent, maternity hospitals/units.
Significant additional funding has been provided for the development of family planning and pregnancy counselling services since 1995. The additional amount allocated to the health boards for 2002 was €0.922 million. An additional €5.73 million has been provided between 1999 and 2002. In addition, the Eastern Regional Health Authority allocates approximately €0.890 million annually to pregnancy counselling agencies operating on a national basis.
In recent years health boards have been asked to concentrate on particular measures aimed at reducing unwanted pregnancies in the 15-34 age group, and they have since been engaging in a number of initiatives. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency, which has received an allocation of €5.791 million for 2003, will also be working with the health boards and other agencies, in this regard.