Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (1460)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

1460. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the public health policy regarding many expectant mothers who continue to be separated from their partners during prenatal appointments and early stages of labour; the measures he has undertaken to ensure that HSE public hospital management observe comments and instruction from his Department and the HSE clinical director in relaxing these restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33460/21]

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.