Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1445. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations per year carried out under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28489/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under Section 20 of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, an annual report on notifications under the Act must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year. Two such annual reports have been published to date and are available on the Department of Health website.
The Annual Report for 2014, covering the period from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2014, shows that twenty-six medical procedures were carried out under the Act. Of these fourteen arose from a risk of physical illness, three arose from a risk from suicide, and nine from emergencies arising from physical illness.
The second Annual Report, covering the period from 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2015, shows that twenty-six medical procedures were also carried out in 2015 under the Act. Again, fourteen arose from a risk of physical illness, three arose from a risk from suicide, and nine from emergencies arising from physical illness.
The number reported each year to date (twenty-six) is in line with annual national estimates presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee hearings on the General Scheme of the Act in January 2013.
The third Annual Report, covering the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on or before 30 June this year. The data it covers will not be available before that time.
