Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her passionate work and support on this important issue. Much good work has been done since 2004. The programme for Government commits to the implementation of the national maternity strategy, which recommends the development and expansion of midwifery services through the provision of a midwifery-led model of care within a multidisciplinary team for pregnant women deemed to be at normal risk. Good progress has been made since the strategy's publication in 2016, with midwifery-led care and community-based maternity services increasingly available across the country. The significant funding provided in budget 2021 will facilitate the further expansion of midwifery services next year.

I assure the Deputy that the Department and Minister will work closely with the national women and infants health programme to ensure that any supports required to secure and expand community midwifery services at Cavan General Hospital will be put in place. This will ensure that midwifery-led services at the hospital are not only supported and strengthened but expanded and developed in line with the national maternity strategy.

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