James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. In December 2011, I announced new management arrangements for two groups of hospitals in the west and midwest, Galway University Hospital, incorporating Merlin Park, and Portiuncula, Ballinasloe and Roscommon hospitals, were placed within a single management structure led by a single chief executive officer, Mr. Bill Maher, who is responsible for group performance. The hospital group has a single clinical governance model, one budget and one employment ceiling. We are trying to devolve as much authority as possible locally in respect of budgets, staffing and recruitment. However, no local review will supplant the national maternity review and no local decisions can be in conflict with national policy. National policy will determine matters. Mayo General Hospital joined this group.

I agree with Deputy John O'Mahony that this scaremongering is unhelpful and undermines confidence in the hospital and the staff. A great service is available in Mayo General Hospital, in particular, and in the other hospitals and it is one they have every right to be proud of. I am here to reassure people that there is no plan to close maternity hospitals.

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