asked the Minister for Health when he will extend recognition for a maternity unit in St. Francis Medical Centre, Ballinderry, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Westmeath Maternity Unit.
105.
The establishment of maternity homes is governed by the Registration of Maternity Homes Act, 1934. Under this Act any person who proposes to establish a maternity home must apply in the prescribed manner to the appropriate authority, in this case the Midland Health Board, to be registered in the register kept by such authority. An application from the administrator of the St. Francis Medical Centre seeking exemption under seciton 7 of the Act from the requirement to register with the health board has been received in my Department. The administrator of the centre has been asked to supply some supplementary information on the proposed development to enable this matter to be further examined and to assist me in making a decision on the application. I will consider the matter further when this information is submitted.