Mr. Liam Woods:

One of the early tasks of the new office was to set out a detailed plan to implement the strategy as it is currently expressed. That intention is a multi-annual expression and it is subject to the Estimates process annually through which the HSE is funded.

On the revenue side, there is a funding intention behind this plan that recognises there is a real cost. The other staff category referred to in terms of the queries was numbers of obstetricians. The need to recruit obstetricians was referenced by previous presenters. The clinical programme in obstetrics within the HSE has identified the need to, in effect, approximately double the number of obstetricians. Our obstetric colleagues advise us that will not happen all at one time; it is a phased recruitment process. It has commenced with some approvals for obstetric appointments in both 2015 and 2016. The numbers are relatively low. From memory there were about six posts nationally in each of those years. Clearly, the requirement is much higher than that but it is a start.

On the further question of capital funding, the Deputy will be aware of a number of projects. There was a reference to the need to move Limerick maternity hospital onto a single site in Dooradoyle and the National Maternity Hospital moving onto the site at St. Vincent's Hospital. In terms of maintaining existing facilities and either improving or developing new facilities, both those projects, and others in the maternity service, and a question was raised about adjacent facilities, are all subject to the capital plan of the HSE, which is currently in a mid-term review as part of the national mid-term review of the capital programme. In terms of what is in the capital plan of the HSE currently, there is provision relating to the movement of Holles Street hospital to the site at St. Vincent's Hospital. I will not say at what level as it is subject to tender, but there will be a provision for that.