Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree and will try to get some answers to those questions. The questions are largely about operational management of the HSE, in respect of agency staff numbers, filling maternity posts and the question Senator Burke asked, and the gynaecological waiting lists in Cork. We will try to give an assurance that Senator Burke’s question will be answered with the information that was not provided to him.

From a policy perspective, we are actively in the business of converting agency posts to permanent posts. That is not always possible and I will let the director general of the HSE give the committee a detailed update on where we are at. The problem is that where one can replace an agency post it makes sense to do so, from the cost and service delivery points of view.

In respect of maternity services, 2016 is a landmark year because we are putting the policy building blocks in place. Last year, we did not have a national maternity strategy, or bereavement standards for people bereaved during pregnancy or by a perinatal death. We did not have Health Information and Quality Assurance, HIQA, standards, which are about to be launched for maternity units, and we did not have an advanced plan to try to relocate the national maternity hospital. A significant amount has happened this year which leads me to believe that priority is attached to maternity services. Would the director general like to refer the questions on?