UK Department of Health and Social Care statistics for 2022, published today (May 23rd 2024), show Ireland’s continued reliance on abortion services in England and Wales, says Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA).
According to the figures published today (May 23rd 2024), a total of 201 people who accessed abortion services in England and Wales in 2022 gave Irish addresses.
Commenting on the statistics, Niall Behan, IFPA CEO, said: “It is unacceptable that the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 continues to deny access to people who need abortion care.
“Six years after the 2018 referendum repealed the 8th amendment, and over a year since the O’Shea report on the review of the abortion law, Ireland’s continued reliance on the UK to provide abortion services is unacceptable.
“This degrading and discriminatory denial of care violates the right to bodily autonomy and self-determination. No one should have to endure the physical, emotional and financial toll of obtaining abortion care abroad.
“The Government must take all necessary steps to support the development of fully accessible, quality abortion services that meet the needs of every pregnant person.”
ENDS
Press Contact: Maeve Taylor, Director of Advocacy and Communications 086 795 2167, or email maeve.taylor@ifpa.ie.
Notes to Editor
The UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published abortion statistics annually since 2002. The most recent (2022) statistics are available here. (In August 2023, DHSC published provisional abortion statistics for 2022, covering January to June 2022 only. This was due to a backlog in the processing of HSA4 forms upon which these publications are based. The DHSC has stated that it plans to publish the 2023 abortion statistics for England and Wales next year, 2025.)
Abortion Services in Ireland
- Abortion in Ireland is regulated by the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. A woman or pregnant person can have an abortion for any pregnancy that is less than 12 weeks. The decision is theirs and they do not have to explain their reasons to anyone.
- Early medical abortion care can be accessed from a providing GP, family planning clinic or women’s health centre up to 9 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. After 9 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, HSE guidance is that people should be referred by their doctor to have their abortion in a hospital.
- Those accessing abortion under 12 weeks of pregnancy are required to attend two doctors’ appointments. Between the first and second appointment, there is a three-day waiting period. This is imposed by law and cannot be waived.
- After 12 weeks, abortion is only accessible when there is (1) a risk of serious harm to the health or life of the pregnant person, or (2) there is a condition likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before birth or within 28 days of birth (commonly referred to as a fatal foetal anomaly).
About the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA)
- The IFPA is a leading provider of abortion care in Ireland, with clinics at The Square, Tallaght, and Cathal Brugha Street in the city centre.
- The IFPA also offers non-directive and non-judgemental specialist pregnancy counselling to all our abortion care clients. As a pro-choice organisation, the IFPA supports people whatever their decision.
- Abortion care and specialist pregnancy counselling services are free to residents of Ireland and are funded by the HSE.