asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding a report (details supplied) which stated that one of the three maternity hospitals in Dublin may close.
Written Answers. - Dublin Maternity Hospitals.
153.
The report referred to by the Deputy says in fact that one of the maternity hospitals in Dublin may close if the birth rate continues to decline. In this regard I would like to point out that the number of births in the three Dublin maternity hospitals has declined from 23,076 in 1980 to 18,909 in 1987. I do not accept that it is desirable or necessary to close one of the maternity hospitals in Dublin with the current birth rate.