New data shows number of abortions could rise to 10,000 by end of year

The number of abortions taking place in Ireland are “out of control”, the Life Institute has said, after new figures suggest as many as 10,000 terminations could be carried out in 2023.

New data covering the first six months of the year indicate more than 5,000 abortions took place between January and June 2023.

Figures released by the HSE to TD Carol Nolan show that €1,515,600 was spent over that six month period on “combined termination procedure and aftercare”.

Since €300 is paid to service providers for this category of abortion, this suggests that some 5,032 abortions took place between January and June. Deputy Nolan described the situation as being a “humanitarian emergency”.

“If that trend continues, we are looking at 10,000 abortions in 2023,” said Megan Ní Scealláin of the Life Institute. This would exceed by more than 1,000 the 8,876 abortions recorded in 2022.

“The Government should be ashamed of these numbers, and of their absolute failure – and lack of interest – in tackling the soaring abortion rate,” she added.

“The abortion figures are now out of control: the number is spiraling, clearly women are being made to feel that they have no other options and that abortion is the default option.”

Eilis Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign criticised the Government for spending €25 million on abortion provision and “not a single cent” in the area of unplanned pregnancy.

“Not a single cent of all the monies spent in the area of unplanned pregnancy by the Government in the past five years was used to promote positive alternatives to abortion,” she said.

“This shocking fact alone will have to become a major election issue for 2024 and in the run up to the next general election.”

Ms Mulroy added that “Abortion doctors have already been paid €2,439,600 in the first six months of 2023, compared with €2,652,000 for the entire year in 2019”.