Legislation for safe access zones at abortion services to be introduced 

Legislation allowing for safe access zones for abortion services will make up part of an 18-month plan for women's health to be launched by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on Tuesday. Picture: Gareth Chaney

Legislation allowing for safe access zones for abortion services will make up part of an 18-month plan for women's health to be launched by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on Tuesday.

The Women’s Health Action Plan 2022 will see €31m in development funding for improving and extending women’s health services and will see safe access zones provided for in legislation. Legislation to protect abortion service providers and users alike from intimidation when entering healthcare facilities was due to be introduced in tandem with the introduction of abortion services in 2019. However, plans to establish 100m safe zones have yet to be implemented.