Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a mother of three healthy children who were born on time, I do not have the experience of giving birth to a premature baby but I know others who have gone through the experience and how it affects their extended families. It is difficult to manage sick children at home because we have not made the connection between services.

Is there a reason for the global trend of rising rates and is it related to the fact that women are having children later in life? Young women are working later before taking maternity leave and they are coping with more stress in work. Is it just a fact of nature?

In regard to the 300 cots that are available for 4,800 premature births, how are the remaining births managed? The numbers do not add up for me. What can be done in local communities with midwives and nurses to help people whose premature babies have passed away?