Maternity Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Ceisteanna (406)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

406. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the negotiations for the provision of a new national maternity hospital; if this publicly funded hospital will remain in full public ownership; if the full range of healthcare services permitted under Irish law will be available within this hospital; if there will be no denominational influence in the ethics underpinning practice in this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39794/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Following extensive mediation discussions, agreement was reached between the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) on the relocation of the NMH to the Elm Park campus.

The terms of this agreement provides for the establishment of a new company which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.

A draft legal framework is currently being finalised which will inter alia ensure that the State's significant investment in the new hospital will be protected.

I can assure the Deputy that care in the new maternity hospital will be delivered without religious, ethnic or other distinction and any medical procedure which is in accordance with the laws of the land will be carried out there.