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More than 900 women accessed HSE-funded post-abortion counselling services between 2023 and 2025, according to figures released by the Department of Health.
The figures were provided in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Independent Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín on March 12th. Tóibín asked the Health Minister for details of State funding allocated to post-abortion counselling services, the number of women who had accessed those services, and whether the current MyOptions model provides sufficient face-to-face long-term psychological support.
The Department’s response stated that funding is not itemised separately for post-abortion counselling because the overall allocation also covers crisis pregnancy counselling, the MyOptions information and support service, and related supports. It excludes funding for the MyOptions nursing helpline, as that service is not counselling-related.
According to the figures, €1,601,012 was allocated to crisis pregnancy and post-abortion counselling services in 2023. That increased to €1,681,394 in 2024 and €1,740,611 in 2025, amounting to over €5 million in total over the 3 years.
The Department also published figures showing the number of women who accessed post-abortion counselling.
A total of 265 new clients attended HSE-funded services for post-abortion counselling in 2023. That rose to 314 in 2024 before falling to 264 in 2025.
Separate figures for the MyOptions service show that 33 clients received post-abortion counselling through the service in 2023, compared with 23 in 2024 and 20 in 2025.
Taken together, the figures indicate that 919 women accessed HSE-funded post-abortion counselling across the two service categories during the three-year period.
In its reply, the Department said post-abortion counselling is available free of charge through the MyOptions service.
The Department added that a number of HSE-funded organisations provide both face-to-face and virtual post-abortion counselling sessions, with details available through the HSE’s MyOptions website.
It also said that all women and their partners can access post-abortion counselling through HSE-funded counselling services and the MyOptions service.
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