More than 10,000 pregnancy terminations in Ireland last year

The HSE has also submitted a report, as required under the act, on reviews carried out in 2023. 

Some 10,033 pregnancy terminations were carried out last year in Ireland with the majority taking place in early pregnancy.

In 2023, 21 procedures were carried out due to a risk to life or health; seven due to a risk to life or health in an emergency situation; 129 due to a fatal fetal anomaly; and 9,876 in early pregnancy.

Last year, the highest number of terminations were carried out in May (902), January (878), and March (874). 

The month with fewest notifications was February (683).

• Dublin had the most terminations with 3,645 in 2023
• Cork had 873 terminations
• Galway had 446 and Kildare 429
• Limerick had 423 terminations
• Waterford had 258
• Kerry had 254
• Tipperary had 240 pregnancy terminations carried out

The county with the least terminations was Leitrim, with 47.

The figures are contained in the fifth annual report on the Health (Regulation of Termination in Pregnancy) Act 2018.

The report covers the period from January, 1, 2023, until December, 31, 2023.

The 2018 Act permits termination in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman, including in an emergency.

It also permits terminations 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. 

The act also permits abortion without restriction in early pregnancy, up to the 12th week.

The act requires that the minister for health is notified of all terminations no later than 28 days after it has been carried out, without identifying the patient.

The HSE has also submitted a report, as required under the act, on reviews carried out in 2023. 

The HSE report shows that two applications for review were received and carried out in 2023. 

Both of the applications were found to have met the requirements for a lawful termination of pregnancy.