Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2018
168. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if the national development plan, Project Ireland 2040 funding will be allocated to bring County Donegal's maternity services into alignment with the national maternity strategy and national maternity standards; if not, the reason therefore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10704/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the National Maternity Strategy will give rise to significant capital costs over the coming years. Work to identify the precise capital requirement, and the timing of the required capital developments, is ongoing.
However, I am happy to confirm that funding has been provided within the National Development Plan for maternity services infrastructure and this will facilitate the co-location of all remaining stand-alone maternity hospitals with adult acute hospitals. This will see the National Maternity Hospital relocate to the St Vincent's University Hospital campus, University Maternity Hospital Limerick to the UHL campus at Dooradoyle, the Rotunda to the Connolly Hospital campus and the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital to the St James's campus.
The NDP funding will also ensure that we are in a position provide the necessary maternity infrastructure to deliver the new model of care espoused in the Strategy. The infrastructural improvements will extend across the country, including in Donegal, and will fund developments such as for example Alongside Birth Centres (low tech birth rooms), Early Pregnancy Assessment Units and appropriate patient support rooms. Such developments will underpin the introduction of the new model of maternity care and ensure that care under the new pathways - Supported, Assisted and Specialised – will be provided in comfort and privacy in high-quality settings.
