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<p>The Government recognises the importance of consulting with experts, counselling
and other support services to support women and girls in accessing services and making
individual decisions on these matters. I put on record my thanks to Informing Choices
NI for providing a central access point for early medical abortion services, working
alongside medical professionals in all Health and Social Care Trusts. I also appreciate
the wider support and post pregnancy counselling services Informing Choices NI is
providing to women and girls in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>Funding for all health
services is a matter for the NI Executive. 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.</p><p> </p><p>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>
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