The agency set up to reduce the number of crisis pregnancies in the State held its inaugural meeting yesterday.
The Crisis Pregnancy Agency's chairwoman, Ms Olive Braiden, said crisis pregnancy was a long-standing reality that had never been comprehensively addressed by way of State policy, until now.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, addressed the board, saying the agency would have the task of drawing up a national strategy to address crisis pregnancy and oversee its implementation.
"It will work with a wide range of organisations, not just in the health sector but also, for example, in the education, welfare, employment and housing fields. I have provided funding of €6.5 million for the agency in 2002," said the Minister.
The CPA will draw on the experience of existing bodies and organisations while fulfilling its remit to bring a new, systematic and sustained approach to assisting before, during and after a crisis pregnancy, explained Ms Braiden.
The agency will address shortfalls in counselling services, practical support and education.
"The Crisis Pregnancy Agency is a stand alone initiative; its work is an essential part of public policy."
The agency is to make arrangements to meet all organisations involved in issues relating to crisis pregnancy in the New Year.
The members of the board are: Ms Rosemary Grant; Dr Linda Hogan; Mr Martin Larkin; Ms Geraldine Luddy; Ms Pauline Moreau; Mr Brian Mullen; Mr Anthony O'Gorman; Ms Margaret Ryan.