IFPA and the Irish government

The IFPA have a lot of influence in the Irish media and within Irish political circles. In their document Choices for All, Objective 1 reads as follows:

To increase commitment among Irish politicians and policy-makers to the promotion and protection of individual human rights and choices in sexuality and reproduction; and encourage them to support the enactment of appropriate laws nationally, within the EU and internationally.

And Objective 7 reads as follows

To increase the use of pro-choice language and the portrayal of positive images of sexuality in the media.

Taoiseach abuses his position 

Below is the text of a letter sent in the year 2000 to the IFPA from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. He abused his position as Taoiseach to congratulate an organisation who have contributed to the number of women going to England for abortion.

Message from Bertie Ahern (then Taoiseach) to the IFPA

I wish to congratulate the Irish Family Planning Association on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary, for its pioneering role in the provision of specialist centres for family planning and "well woman" health services, not just in Dublin, but in other cities and towns throughout Ireland. The development of the range of services which you provide in the close co-operation with the statutory agencies, to include counselling, education and public information, has further enhanced your reputation in the area of health services provision. I wish your association well for the future
Bertie Ahern T.D. Taoiseach

Grants and funding from the Irish taxpayer

They regularly make submissions to government and claim that they "are a source of expert knowledge in the areas of reproductive and sexual health." For instance Medical Cards holders in July 2000 began to receive free services at IFPA's Cathal Brugha Street centre paid for by the the former EHB (Eastern Regional Health Authority), now the Northern Area Health Board; the South Western Area Health Board and the East Coast Area Health Board. In 1985 the Regulation of Information (Termination of Pregnancies Outside The State) Act passed by the Oireachtas after strong lobbying by IFPA. Legislation was substantially based on the IFPA' s service model and the IFPA received funding for its so-called pregnancy counselling services.

In 1997 the High Court declared the banning of the booklet 'Family Planning' null and void and the Annual General Meeting of International Planned Parenthood Federation was held in Co. Clare.

In 1994 the IFPA received public funding for services and core activities and Medical Cards holders begin to receive free services at IFPA's Tallaght centre paid for by Eastern Health Board. Also in 1994 IFPA's Your Guide To Contraception leaflet was funded by Department of Health and endorsed by Irish College of Practitioners. This leaflet replaced the government's leaflet.

In 1992 IFPA re-established Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling Services in Ireland and joined a Service Partnership with British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), to bring service within the protection of European Law. They were also at the forefront of pro-abortion campaigns following the 'X' case.

In 1986, Mr. Barry Desmond TD, Minister for Health and Social Welfare, opened the IFPA's Education Resource Centre. The Resource Centre supplied teaching materials and videos on sex and health, education and lifeskills to teachers, social workers and youth leaders. The IFPA launched the Young People's Family Planning Centre which was based at Synge Street Clinic.

In 1985 Barry Desmond, TD, Minister for Health and Social Welfare, introduced the (Health) Family Planning Amendment Bill. The Bill, to make contraceptives available to those over the age of 18 years without a doctor's prescription, was narrowly passed.

Irish taxpayer Grants for year ended 2006 

The IFPA received over €1.3m from the Irish taxpayer under a guise of different headings. The figures below are all in €s.

Grant Payee		2006		2005
Crisis Pregnancy Agency		482,759		451,581
Health Boards- Grants and Service Reimbursements		604,903		560,814
U.N.F.P.A.		49,177		38,916
Legal Research Project		-		15,494
Capital Grant Amortisation		6,185		6,185
I.P.P.F. Grants		47,278		37,908
St. Stephens Green Trust		-		5,700
Other grants		22,602		7,130
POBAL re Equalityfor Women Measure		40,798		16,967
Combat Poverty Agency		5,000		-
National Aids Strategy		10,000		-
Irish Aid		16,594		-
Department of Health - National Lottery		7,500		-
Durex		12,000		-