There has been an increase in women over the age of 35 seeking help during a crisis pregnancy, according to a report from the Crisis Pregnancy Agency.
Read the full report
Often a planned pregnancy can become a crisis one, due to relationship break-ups, unemployment or financial difficulties.
The increase in women over 35 seeking help has been a trend for some years, according to the Agency.
Concerns about the merging of the Agency with the Health Service Executive also emerged in the annual report.
It now operates as the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
The former chairperson of the agency said the HSE must support its strategic focus.
Katharine Bulbulia has warned that society should not be complacent about dealing with such a prevalent issue.
In the report, she says it is vital the HSE supports the strategic focus of the Agency she once chaired, pointing out that it is crucial that happens so that those facing an unplanned pregnancy receive the support and care they need.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health Mary Harney has said that she would not envisage another abortion referendum any time soon.
She added that the number of Irish women travelling to the UK for abortions had decreased.
Last year, over 4,400 women with Irish addresses had abortions carried out at clinics in the UK.
The minister said that work was ongoing to try to reduce the number of women who travel to Britain for terminations.
