Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I received correspondence from the Ceann Comhairle. I had proposed an amendment to section 70 of the Health Act 1970 and I will refer specifically to that section. My proposed amendment related to screening tests for foetal anomalies. The original wording going back to 1970 was that "A health board shall make arrangements for carrying out tests on persons without charge, for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of a particular disease, defect or condition that may be prescribed". I had proposed an amendment to that which stated that "Without prejudice to the generality of section 70, arrangements made under that section shall include arrangements for carrying out without charge ultrasound and other standardised prenatal foetal diagnostic tests, to accurately date the pregnancy and to assess the foetus for diagnosable anomalies or defects, during the antenatal period".

I was very surprised to receive correspondence from the Ceann Comhairle which stated that he regretted to inform me that my amendment tabled at this Stage had been ruled out of order as it involves a potential charge on the Exchequer. All I sought to do was to make an amendment to ensure that the language of the 1970 Act was updated to ensure that, as of right, every woman will have access to the foetal anomaly scan in pregnancy and to make sure there was some degree of universality around that. I do not understand why that is deemed to be a charge on the Exchequer. I spoke very briefly to the Minister, Deputy Harris, about this today and I am hopeful this can be addressed. I refer specifically to the HSE's national women and infants health programme and the issue around the recruitment of ultrasonographers in the State. I refer specifically to Cork University Maternity Hospital where not every woman has access to that vital scan. If we are talking about positive outcomes for babies and mothers, it is vitally important that we have these scans so we can ensure the best outcomes for both mother and child.

I fail to understand how my amendment could be deemed to potentially put a charge on the Exchequer when the 1970 Act already states that the health board "shall make arrangements for carrying out tests on persons without charge, for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of a particular disease, defect or condition that may be prescribed". I am hopeful at this late hour, even though the amendment was tabled in good time, that the Minister of State will address the issue and, on the basis of common sense, ensure that women who do not have access to these scans at present will have access to them and that there will be adequate resources deployed through the national maternity strategy. It is the language of the national maternity strategy I am using here. We need to ensure that access is not denied to women and that the resources are deployed.

I take some solace from the fact that, with the restructuring of hospital groups, a new clinical director of the women and children services directorate for the South/South West hospital group was appointed on 27 February 2017. I understand an order has been made under section 16 of the Health Act subdelgating certain functions in maternity services to a person. I understand that those functions having been delegated is a positive move. The question is whether that delegated function will result in a budget line that will ensure every woman in the region I serve will have access to the scans. We cannot have a situation in this country where some women are denied access to scans by dint of geography. We know what the import of these scans is in terms of the best outcomes for mothers and babies. It is a public health issue and I am hopeful the Minister of State will address the point I make in a non-partisan way. It is something that affects all of us. It is a positive move. If the Minister of State was inclined to accept my amendment, I would be very grateful. If the Minister of State was inclined to address the issue before us it would be very beneficial to the women and children of the Munster region.

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