James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I visited the National Maternity Hospital and met with the new master, who is the first female master in the history of this State. Staff at the hospital are dynamic and the recently opened new theatre will provide greater access for the patients they serve. There is no question but that from a capital perspective we could do with new maternity hospitals. While in the past I have been told that our hospitals should not perhaps deliver more than 10,000 to 12,000 babies I have since been told during discussions with clinical leads in this area that there is no reason we could not have two, or even one, maternity hospital in Dublin. I am not suggesting that will be the outcome but it is an issue we need to look at. I would like to see facilities greatly improved.

The Deputy asked if we have sufficient staff to maintain a safe service. The answer to that question is "Yes, we do." Every endeavour has been made and arrangements have been put in place to ensure delivery of a safe service. The last thing we want to do is create further anxiety for those looking forward to the birth of their child. It is a nervous enough time for people. I am happy, having met with the clinical lead for obstetrics and gynaecology, and having visited several of the hospitals, that a safe service is being delivered.

On the disability issue, every effort was made to ensure protection of disability services, in respect of which the budget cut was a maximum of 3.5% while the cut elsewhere in the health services ranged from 5% to 7.5%. I have discussed this matter with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch. There is a recognition that there are huge resources within the NGOs in terms of ancillary care, including psychologists and so on, which could be freed up to allow the provision of greater care within the system.

We are looking at all areas in an effort to reform how services are delivered and people work, thus allowing for more service to be delivered to the patient.

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