The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has signed a contract to operate the Government’s proposed abortion regime.

As part of the deal agreed with the on Wednesday, doctors who accept the new contract will receive a total fee of €450 covering three visits – made up of a payment of €150 to cover the initial consultation with the patient and a further €300 for carrying out the termination procedure and the delivery of aftercare.

The HSE will write to GPs in the coming days seeking expressions of interest in taking up the new contract.

Minister for Health Simon Harris welcomed the agreement with the doctors’ organisation on the new contract for provision of abortions in community settings. “The agreement of this contract is a significant step in the detailed preparations for the introduction of termination of pregnancy services at the beginning of January,” Mr Harris said.

“It enables the HSE to offer the contract in sufficient time for doctors to consider its terms and, if they wish to take up the contract, to advise the HSE of this. I would like to acknowledge the constructive engagement by the IMO on this sensitive issue.”