285 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the reasonable concerns of an organisation (details supplied) are respected by her Department and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency. [5977/07]

338 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement to the effect that she respects the independent identity, operational autonomy and ethos of a pregnancy care service (details supplied) by not making funding dependent on the service operating in a manner contrary to its ethos. [6352/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 338 together.

The matters at issue are ones between the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the organisation concerned in the first instance. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA), was established by the Government in 2001. The Agency has responsibility for funding a range of independent agencies providing counselling services to women with a crisis pregnancy.

The CPA has informed me that such funding is subject to a service agreement between the CPA and each counselling agency.

It has also indicated that a key element of this is that each counselling service commits to refer women to other bona fide service providers where it is not in a position to provide the information or service requested.

Research has shown that counselling gives women extra time and space to reflect on their decision regarding their pregnancy. If a woman has more time to come to terms with her pregnancy, this makes the option of abortion less likely.

I understand that the CPA and the organisation concerned are at present in communication regarding the question of continued funding for the organisation based on the terms of their service agreement. I do not consider it appropriate that I should make any further comment on the matter pending the outcome of these discussions.