David Cullinane
Ceist:87. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28327/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
87. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28327/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when information will be provided on the review into the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28222/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 161 together.
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 it will be led by an independent expert.
While I expect that the independent expert appointed may wish to input on the approach and methodology, at this point I anticipate that the review 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.