Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Midwives, who are members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, in Mayo University Hospital are being balloted on industrial action, a decision they have not taken lightly. They are doing so because of staff shortages. An additional 100 midwives is not enough; a total of 450 is required. The Minister's recruitment plans for the health service are not achieving their targets. Even those who are coming to Ireland to take up posts are leaving to go abroad again. We are not competing with private hospitals and hospitals abroad.

Women deserve better treatment than they are getting. They have been badly served by the maternity services and that is no fault of the midwives who are providing that service. The midwives in Mayo are sending the Minister a very clear message that more staff are needed

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