Latest data indicates yet another increase in abortion rate for 2024

New figures revealed in a parliamentary question reply from the HSE to Deputy Seán Canney (06.08.2024) show that from January to May 2024, there have been a total of 4,424 claims for completed abortions made by GPs. This figure does not include hospital abortions. As such, the total number of abortions performed during this period is likely even higher.

These figures show that there has been an 8% increase in the abortion rate from the first five months of 2023 to the first five months of this year. Last year, there were in excess of 10,000 abortions – the highest figure on record. These trends indicate that 2024 is likely to surpass this already shockingly high abortion rate. The true total of abortions performed from January to May 2024 is likely even higher than 4,424, as these figures just relate to claims by GPs and do not include hospital abortions.

These new figures totally put paid to the recent idea promoted by some abortion advocates that the abortion rate will level out around 10,000. Of course, this suggestion itself was nowhere to be heard from the same quarters during the referendum campaign. But even taking it at face value, it’s clear from these early figures obtained by Deputy Seán Canney that the abortion rate is set for yet another tragic and dramatic increase by the end of this year.

Government policy in this area appears to be entirely focussed on providing wider access to abortion rather than seeking to reduce Ireland's soaring abortion numbers. Realistically, the only thing that will change this is electing more TDs to the Dáil who have the courage and commitment to speak up and demand that voices other than those with an extreme abortion agenda be included at the decision-making table.

Abortion rate drops in fifteen American states, new statistics show

As of July 2024, 37 states have released 2022 abortion statistics, and 15 states reported that abortions had decreased. One such state is Montana, where the abortion rate dropped by 5.3% in 2022. Abortion in Montana is banned at foetal viability, understood to be 24-26 weeks of pregnancy. Pro-life laws have been agreed by the state legislature and repeatedly passed, including: limiting abortion at 20 weeks of gestation, removing the possibility of prescribing abortion pills by telemedicine, and the creation of a 24-hour waiting period. Despite being signed into law by the governor and passed by the legislature, judges in Montana have upheld injunctions and thus the measures have not come to pass.

Due to the above situation, it remains a positive outcome that the direction of travel in terms of the abortion rate has been towards a decrease. Undoubtedly, if the pro-life laws were implemented, the abortion rate would drop even more in the coming years.

The drop in the abortion rate across fifteen states is positive and whilst it can be attributed to various aspects, in some states it certainly relates to new pro-life laws and policies. In the state of Iowa, a heartbeat law has finally made its way into operation following a protracted legal battle waged by abortion activists in the state’s supreme court.

Join the Minimise Project for their next activism workshop!

The Minimise Project has launched a series of workshops aimed at equipping pro-life activists with the tools and skills they need to have meaningful, productive conversations about abortion with friends and family.

Conversations Workshop

Where: Balally Pastoral Centre (Eircode D16E032)

Date: Saturday 7th September

Time: 10:30 - 14:30

You will learn:

*Why personal conversations about abortion matter

*The basics of pro-life apologetics

*Personhood and equal rights arguments

*Bodily autonomy arguments

*The psychology of conversations

*The different types of conversations you can have

*How to avail of opportunities to initiate conversations

*How to be persuasive without putting people under pressure

You will also have opportunities to practice having conversations about abortion in different contexts and will hear from people who changed their minds on the issue of abortion via conversations with pro-life activists.

NOTE: Seeking Accommodation Providers!

Do you or someone you know have spare rooms to assist us with housing  volunteer teams in the coming months?  We hope to have more volunteers travelling across Ireland to help spread the pro-life message in local communities.

Able to help out? Please email us below, and thank you!