Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not know how the Minister can welcome the report given it states that the health services failed to act on recommendations. I, too, commend the mothers and the families who have raised these issues about our maternity services. Perhaps the Taoiseach will clarify if the report on the future of services was to be published in September 2015 because it has not been published. I am advised that report is now with the Department of Health and as such it is back in the Government's court. Will the Taoiseach clarify for the Dáil if that report is with the Government and when it is proposed to publish it. Portlaoise hospital is a symptom of the problem of an underfunded and understaffed system which is failing despite all the efforts of committed and hard-working staff. In Limerick hospital, there is a shortage of 24 midwives; in Cork, 54 are needed and in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, there is a shortage of 118 midwives. These are the number of staff required to bring staffing levels up to basic international safety standards. We expect women to put themselves into this position. Will the Taoiseach clarify the status of the report on the future of services and to the development of a specific plan - I am not in this regard asking for a knee-jerk reaction because this plan has been two years in the making - to ensure that staffing levels across maternity services are brought up to basic standard?

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