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<p>Abortion services are now a matter for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.</p><p>I
am pleased that some service provision has commenced through existing sexual and reproductive
health services in the Belfast, Northern and Western Trust areas. Information on these
services is available through the Informing Choices NI helpline and the Central Booking
Service.</p><p>I hope that longer-term services can be commissioned as soon as possible
in the current circumstances, consistent with the Regulations we made.</p><p>The Abortion
(Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 which were laid in March have now been replaced
with the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 , which were laid in
the House today. These regulations come into effect on 14th May and revoke the earlier
regulations. Their legal effect in supporting the provision of services remains consistent,
with a small correction having been made to address the concerns of the JCSI, so services
can continue on the same basis.</p>
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