Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
555. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the name of the groups and persons that have requested to meet him regarding the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of the Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the groups and persons that his Department has initiated a meeting with; the requests that were granted to groups or persons since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60096/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the terms of reference of the review to be established by the end of the month under Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; if he will seek the opinion of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health on draft terms of reference; the timeline for the completion of the review; the membership of the review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60273/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 580 together.
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
The review of the operation of the Act is being progressed this year, in line with statutory and Government commitments, and will conclude in 2022.
As I have stated previously, an independent Chair will be appointed to lead the review, which will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review. An opportunity will be provided for interested groups, organisations, and members of the public to provide their views to inform the review.
Upon completion, a full report with any necessary recommendations will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration.
