Ms Mary Leahy:

I will start from the beginning with the questions from Deputy Alan Kelly. He asked if the strategy was implementable. It is a ten year strategy and we have grave concerns at this stage, given that a year has passed in which there has been very little progress. While the strategy can be implemented, the important aspects must be identified, as Dr. Boylan said, and driven first. A task force has to be established. It cannot be a shiny strategy which is on a shelf, as other strategies have been. We need an annual report as each year unfolds because two or three years can pass quite easily and then there is a crisis. While the strategy can be implemented, doing so will require great dedication and investment. We have to get the staff in place.

Deputy Alan Kelly mentioned budgeting. It has been a problem, on which the INMO has made a presentation to the joint committee. We have made a proposal on multi-annual budgets because when new services are established, funding must be front-loaded. There is a lot of investment in setting up a service not to have adequate funding to drive it forward. As such, we need multi-annual budgets. A ring-fenced budget is needed for implementation of the strategy. The current HSE service plan refers to the recruitment this year of 100 midwives, but no moves have been made in that regard. Again, it needs to be driven and pushed by the politicians.

Deputy Alan Kelly referred to mental health service. I think that question was answered. The issue of ultrasound services has also been addressed. The Deputy mentioned students and asked if there were geographical issues. I am not clear on what was meant.