I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
In line with best international practice, it is Government policy, as re-iterated in the National Maternity Strategy, that the remaining standalone maternity hospitals, including the University Maternity Hospital Limerick, should be co-located with adult acute hospitals. This policy commitment is re-stated in the National Development Plan 2021-2030. In addition, in the context of promoting women’s health, the Programme for Government commits to progress the planning, tender and design stages for the relocation of the University Maternity Hospital Limerick to University Hospital Limerick.
The HSE’s Capital Plan 2021 indicates that the project brief for the University Maternity Hospital Limerick relocation is being developed. As such, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.