John Gormley
Ceist:58 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will meet with representatives of the Home Birth Association of Ireland. [14775/99]
Written Answers. - Home Births.
The Home Birth Association of Ireland met officials from my Department in September 1998. A range of issues was discussed including the piloting of a number of approaches to domiciliary births, as recommended by the expert group on domiciliary births. Guidance was also given regarding funding of the association's information leaflets.
If the association considers that a further meeting with officials would be beneficial, contact should be made in the first instance with my private secretary who will make the necessary arrangements.
John Gormley
Ceist:59 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide figures on the amount spent each year on training midwives for home deliveries. [14776/99]
At present there are 386 midwifery students in our seven training schools. The training period lasts two years and costs in the region of £20,000 per student per year, which includes the student's salary. There is no specific training provided for home deliveries. At the end of the two year training period the midwives are deemed competent to practice in either hospital or the community.