Vol. 543 No. 1
194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to ensure access to the full range of maternity services without delay throughout the country; if his attention has been drawn to recently expressed concerns in this regard; the action he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25822/01]
There is a comprehensive range of obstetric ser vices available to women on a regional and tertiary basis. However, I am aware of recent difficulties relating to the recruitment and retention of midwives which are impacting on the capacity of maternity hospitals to cope with increasing demands for their services, particularly in the eastern region.
I wish to set the record straight in relation to the extent of the midwifery shortages in the Dublin area. Media reports of 110 midwifery posts vacant in the three Dublin maternity hospitals are incorrect. Information received by my Department indicates that while the three hospitals are short 84 midwives, the net vacancy situation is actually 54 posts, when account is taken of the number of registered general nurses that have been employed by the hospitals.
I have established a special forum to examine the current difficulties being experienced by the Dublin maternity hospitals in relation to the recruitment and retention of midwifes. This forum includes representatives of the three Dublin maternity hospitals, my Department, the Health Service Employers' Agency, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Nursing Unions. It held its first meeting on 19 October and has been asked to report back to me as a matter of urgency. This forum will build on a number of initiatives already taken at national level to recruit and retain midwifes.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of a comprehensive, safe and high quality, fully accessible obstetric service will continue to be of the utmost priority.
