Dublin, June 30 (IANS) – Ireland reported over 10,000 pregnancy terminations in the year 2023, with the majority occurring in early pregnancy, according to the fifth annual report on the Health (Regulation of Termination in Pregnancy) Act 2018.
In total, 10,033 terminations were carried out last year. Of these, 21 procedures were conducted due to a risk to life or health, with an additional seven performed under emergency circumstances. One hundred twenty-nine terminations were due to fatal fetal anomalies, while the vast majority—9,876—occurred in early pregnancy.
The highest numbers of terminations were recorded in May (902), January (878), and March (874), while February saw the fewest notifications (683).
Dublin led in the number of terminations with 3,645 procedures, followed by Cork with 873, Galway with 446, and Kildare with 429. Limerick recorded 423 terminations, followed by Waterford (258), Kerry (254), and Tipperary (240). Leitrim had the fewest terminations at 47.
Under the 2018 Act, termination is permitted in cases where there is a risk to the life or serious harm to the health of the pregnant woman, including emergencies. It also allows for terminations in cases where a condition is likely to lead to the death of the fetus before or within 28 days of birth. Abortion without restriction is permitted in early pregnancy, up to the 12th week.
The Act mandates that the Minister for Health be notified of all terminations within 28 days of the procedure, without disclosing patient identities.
Additionally, the Health Service Executive (HSE) submitted a report as required by the Act, detailing reviews conducted in 2023. The report indicated that two applications for review were received and carried out, both of which met the legal requirements for termination of pregnancy.
The detailed findings underscore the ongoing implementation and impact of Ireland’s legislative framework concerning termination of pregnancy, highlighting both the legal provisions and procedural oversight mandated by the Act.
