Abortion Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Ceisteanna (449)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

449. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he plans to abide by the commitment provided by a former Minister for Health with respect to the formulation of the terms of reference for the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (details supplied); if he will facilitate the agreement of all Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas on the terms of reference for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Section 7 of the Act states that “The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the commencement of this section, carry out a review of the operation of this Act."

The review is being progressed this year and will be led by an independent expert. It is anticipated that it will take a three-part approach to reviewing the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Research to inform the service user and service provider strands will be commissioned and carried out independently, and a public consultation will be held.

Upon completion, a full report, with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.

I have held a number of meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss the approach for the review; this will be finalised in due course.

Question No. 450 answered with Question No. 410.