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<p>Funding for all health services is a matter for the NI Executive.</p><p> </p><p>It
is our clear position that these are devolved policy matters to be implemented through
devolved bodies. As a result, the costs should be met from the Northern Ireland Block
grant. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) will continue to work closely with the Department
of Health in taking forward implementation of this important devolved issue. The NIO
will also provide advice as appropriate around any relevant requests for funding,
and I continue to encourage the Health Minister to ensure that women and girls in
Northern Ireland are provided with local, safe and high-quality healthcare.</p><p>
</p><p>We made the Abortion Regulations in March 2020 - and remain disappointed with
the continuing failure to commission abortion services that are consistent with the
Regulations to ensure women and girls have safe local access to this healthcare service.
While medical professionals have taken forward some service provision on the ground
in Northern Ireland from last April and over 1,100 abortions have been provided to
date, more needs to be done.</p><p> </p><p>We have always said that we believe that
the commissioning of services by the Department of Health would remain the most appropriate
way to progress the matter. However, after a year of engaging to see positive progress
made, with no success, the legal duties and moral obligations are such that we have
taken further action.</p><p> </p><p>The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021,
which came into effect on 31 March 2021, give the Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland a power to direct relevant Northern Ireland Ministers, departments and agencies
to commission abortion services, consistent with the conditions set out in the 2020
Regulations.</p><p> </p><p>We will not let progress be drawn out indefinitely. We
are clear that we want to see concrete progress towards the commissioning of abortion
services before summer recess, and if this is not achieved, we will not hesitate in
issuing a direction immediately so direct action is taken so that the rights of women
and girls can be properly upheld and they can have safe and lawful access to abortion
services locally.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to engage with the Department of
Health to try and find a way forward and will provide every opportunity to move forward
with commissioning before we have to issue the direction.</p><p> </p>
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