asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent Sunday newspaper report which conveyed the impression that maternity homes are not subject to inspection by competent authority; and if he has any comment to make.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inspection of Maternity Homes—Newspaper Report.
I have seen the report to which the Deputy refers and it is quite misleading. The true position is that under the provisions of the Registration of Maternity Homes Act, 1934, no person may carry on a maternity home unless he or she has applied to and been accepted for registration by the appropriate local authority. If the local authority are not satisfied as to the suitability of the applicant or of the premises they may decline to accept the home for registration.
Maternity homes are regularly inspected by authorised officers of the local authorities (usually the county medical officer of health or his deputy). These homes are also inspected by an officer of my Department and any matter adversely reported upon is drawn to the attention of the local authority.
These inspections and the power conferred by the Act on local authorities to cancel registration under certain circumstances ensure that a satisfactory standard is maintained in maternity homes generally.