Vol. 519 No. 6
84 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recent court decision allowing a domiciliary midwife to practice, he will outline his policy on home births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14537/00]
It is Department policy that, on medical grounds, the delivery of babies should take place in consultant staffed maternity units. This policy is in line with the recommendations of the Comhairle na nOspidéal report – Development of Hospital Maternity Services – which examined in detail the objectives of health care in relation to maternity services.
The report of the maternity and infant care scheme review group, which was circulated in April 1997, gave a strong endorsement to Department policy on this issue. However, the report also recognised that one of the main reasons women opt to give birth at home is their desire for a positive experience in friendly, familiar surroundings where they retain full control. The health boards have agreed to contribute £650 towards the costs of a privately retained midwife. The health boards' chief executive officers established an expert group to consider a number of approaches suggested by the review group in relation to domiciliary births and to make recommendations on long-term policy and on the procedures and protocols which may be necessary. Funding was provided in 1999 for the piloting of a number of approaches suggested.
It is generally accepted that current Department policy has contributed to the marked decrease in the level of maternal, perinatal and infant mortality. At present, Ireland's maternal mortality rates are among the best in the world, reflecting the excellent ante-natal and obstetric services available in this country. The judgment in the individual court case referred to by the Deputy has been carefully noted but the policy in this area is that while arrangements must be made for those who wish to give birth at home, the safety and welfare of both mother and infant must at all times take priority.
