Pregnancy agency’s role spelt out
The purpose of the agency is to bring strategic focus to the issue of crisis pregnancy and so to add further value to the work of existing service providers.
The function of the agency, as set down in our statutory instrument, is to prepare and implement a strategy to effect a reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies and to ensure the provision of supports and services for women faced with crisis pregnancy, both during and after the pregnancy itself.
The essence of the strategy is contained in the agency’s mandate which is to provide for:
* A reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraceptive services.
* A reduction in the number of women with crisis pregnancy who opt for abortion by offering service and supports which make other options more attractive
* Counselling and medical services after crisis pregnancy.
The agency is governed by an independent board appointed by the minister for health and children. Membership is drawn from government departments, key relevant health disciplines and the general community.
The agency is also advised by a 20-member consultative committee drawn from various statutory and non-statutory organisations.
It is mandated to advance a process of information, education, research and advice. Our strategy is to guide the voluntary agencies and state service providers to supply a trained, comprehensive and, above all, non-judgemental service of advice and practical support to women when a crisis pregnancy occurs.
Where possible this will also extend to their partners and families.
With our statutory and non-statutory partners we have significantly improved supports for women by increasing crisis pregnancy counselling services nationwide by nearly 50%, introducing quality standards and actively publicising the range and availability of counselling services all around the country.
Our research programme has contributed significantly to a greater understanding of the contributory factors and solutions to crisis pregnancy at the individual, community, policy and societal level.
We have invested heavily to improve supported accommodation centres, teen parent programmes, youth services, adoption services and information resources for parents and service providers, to name but a few.
The establishment of the agency was a response by the state, with all-party support, to decades of debate about crisis pregnancies and a firm belief that practical assistance by government must underpin public policy on this issue.
In setting up this agency, the state is reflecting the wishes of the broader community to approach crisis pregnancy in a constructive and non-confrontational way.
Caroline Spillane
Programmes and Communications Manager
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
89-94 Capel Street
Dublin 1
