Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too congratulate the new Minister for Health, who was a very able and capable spokesperson for our party for the past four years. I am thrilled to see him in this ministerial position.

I was also thrilled to have him in Cavan and Monaghan not that long ago. Then he got the full guided tour of Cavan General Hospital and of the minor injuries unit in Monaghan hospital. As he will be aware, there were concerns about the midwifery led unit in Cavan hospital recently. I am delighted the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Harris, allayed those fears and concerns around the future of that unit. It is a significantly important facility, as there are only two in the Republic of Ireland whereas there are eight in the North of Ireland. We know it is an ambition of the national maternity plan that there would be a rolling out of more midwifery led units across the country. Rather than any clouds of doubt hanging over Cavan General Hospital's unit, we need to nurture, harness, support and put resources into such facilities.

The midwifery led unit in Drogheda is thriving and growing. More and more women are opting and choosing that as their maternity pathway. The one in Cavan General Hospital has massive potential to serve not just Cavan and Monaghan but the Border and midlands region with a little bit of support, emphasis and promotion put into that important facility.

I again congratulate the Minister in his new role. I invite him to Cavan General Hospital as well as to Monaghan. At Monaghan hospital there are real opportunities. It has a wonderful minor injuries unit, which relieves the pressure on the emergency department in Cavan General Hospital. There is an enthusiasm among the staff not to just have it as a nine to five, Monday to Friday, operation but to expand it to a 24-7 operation. I hope the Minister might be able to help make that happen.

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