MORE than 100 teenagers a month have second abortions, according to new figures.

Statistics published on the Department of Health website showed that, in 2005, 1,316 girls under the age of 18 had a second abortion while 90 were on their third.

Among the 18 to 24-year-old group, 16,474 had a second abortion while 3,060 were on their third.

Among the over 30s, 482 women had their fifth abortion in 2005, 92 were on their sixth and 29 were admitted for their seventh abortion.

Figures for all age groups showed an increase on the previous year.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Government is determined to reduce the demand for abortions by improving access to contraception.

"We are working hard to raise awareness of the importance of open access to services that offer the full range of contraceptive methods.

"We have committed é40 million to PCT (primary care trust) baseline funding to improve this access.

"However, it is for primary care trusts to determine what level of contraception service they provide and whom they commission the services from, in order to meet the needs of their local population.

"The Government's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is also working.

"Between 1998 and 2004 (the latest year for which data are available) the under-18 conception rate has fallen by 11.1% and the under-16 rate by 15.2%. "Both rates are now at their lowest levels for 20 years."