Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive. The department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Kerry General Hospital provides a range of ante-natal and post-natal services, including a foetal assessment unit, early pregnancy clinics, outpatient clinics, breast-feeding support, physiotherapy services and discharge classes.

The HSE has advised that the department of obstetrics and gynaecology has experienced a significant increase in demand for its services in recent years. The executive has further advised that a capital projects development team was established by the management of Kerry General Hospital in September 2000, which prepared a strategy plan for the current and future needs of the hospital. The construction of a purpose built maternity unit was included in the plan.

The provision of a new maternity unit at Kerry General Hospital was considered for inclusion in the HSE capital plan for 2006 as part of the rolling capital programme for 2006-10. Due to competing demands for capital funding, however, including other significant capital projects in the Kerry area, this project was not prioritised for inclusion in the capital plan that was approved by the HSE board and the Minister for Health and Children. It is a matter for the HSE to consider the progression of the new maternity unit at Kerry General Hospital in the context of overall capital and revenue funding resources available to it.

The recent report by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists refers to the future of maternity and gynaecology services in Ireland. The report sets out the institute's views on a range of issues including, for example, the need to develop clinical maternity networks throughout the State. The HSE will have regard to the institute's findings in developing these services.

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