Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1841. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that approximately forty thousand terminations of pregnancy have been notified to his Department since 2019; if he will accept that this represents an alarming increase in the number of terminations from preceding years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35346/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 was signed into law on 20th December 2018. Expanded termination of pregnancy services have been available since 1st January 2019.
The Act allows termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
This is in line with the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which published its report and recommendations in December 2017.
Prior to the May 2018 Referendum on the 8th Amendment, the General Scheme of the Bill to regulate termination of pregnancy was published. The final legislation enacted is consistent with the published proposals.
In line with statutory requirements, information notified to me in relation to the number of terminations which have taken place in the State, is published in the Annual Report for the relevant year. These Reports are currently available on the Government of Ireland website for the years 2019-2023, and can be accessed via the links below:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/c26b8-annual-reports-on-notifications-in-accordance-with-the-health-regulation-of-termination-of-pregnancy-act-2018/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/2e8ff-notifications-in-accordance-with-section-20-of-the-health-regulation-of-termination-of-pregnancy-act-2018-annual-report-2023/
