A report published by the Department of Health shows that 6,577 terminations of pregnancies were carried out last year, a decrease of 89 on the 2019 figure.

The figures are contained in the second annual report on the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.

The legislation was introduced after a referendum in May 2018 that approved the repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

The report shows that 6,455 of the procedures in 2020 were carried out in early pregnancy, under the grounds set out in section 12 of the legislation. This allows a termination if the pregnancy concerned has not exceeded 12 weeks.

Risk to life or health

Of the remaining procedures, 20 were due to a risk to the life or health of the pregnant woman under section 9; five were due to a risk to life or health in an emergency situation under section 10; and 97 were due to a fatal foetal anomaly.

The months with the highest number of terminations carried out were January (707 notifications), March (655), and April (638).

Dublin was the county of residence in the case of 2,414 notifications of terminations received, while 645 cited Cork, and 278 Limerick.

A separate HSE report shows that two applications for review were made to it last year. One of the applications was found to have met the requirements for a lawful termination of pregnancy.

The department says material published on information contained in notifications is restricted in order to limit the risk of identification.