The Health Minister has assured women that safe and legal abortion services will be available from New Year's Day.

The legislation allowing for abortion services here was signed earlier this month, with officials working towards January 1st as the date for services to become legally available here.

There have been some doubts about the availability of services, with reports that just nine hospitals and 145 GPs have so far signed up to provide medical abortions.

Simon Harris says information will be available on MyOptions.ie.

A freephone helpline - 1800 828 010 - will also open on January 1st.

Speaking today, Minister Harris explained the website and helpline will be able to signpost women to "many, many locations" around the country where they can access free, safe and legal abortion.

He observed: "We gave a commitment that abortion services would be available in Ireland from January 1st - it wasn't a political commitment, it was a commitment to the women of Ireland after the overwhelming vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment.

"There will be enough GPs right across this country to make sure that services can commence in January. No longer will people need to get the boat or the plane - they'll actually be able for the first time ever to avail of abortion services here in our own country."

The Health Minister reiterated the Taoiseach's previous comments that the services will take time to "fully embed", and also noted that services will continue to grow and evolve throughout the year.

However, he stressed: "It is important for women - particularly women who may be pregnant today and may be in crisis - that there will be safe services available, freely and legally, in this country from January."