Covid-19 Pandemic

Thursday, 15 July 2021

Questions (367)

Paul Murphy

Question:

367. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he can remove the visitation rules for the partner and or other nominated birth companion after the baby is born so that those who have given birth can be supported; if attendance for partners and or other nominated birth companions through all stages of labour including induction can be ensured; and if it can be ensured that partners and or other nominated birth companions can be present at all antenatal appointments given that all antenatal appointments have the potential to contain news of emotional significance as per the HSPC guidelines. [32363/21]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 368 answered with Question No. 316.