Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This falls more under the remit of the Minister. I am very familiar with the situation, and I am a mother of three. This week, there was a move to allow partners to attend the 20-week scan, which had not been allowed until now as a result of Covid. It has been challenging. We are talking about hospitals and maternity wards which are home to young babies, including the most vulnerable. The most important thing we can do is keep Covid out of these facilities. The Minister is constantly monitoring this and being updated. He has spoken with maternity hospitals across the country. It is very challenging and difficult for expectant mothers who might not be hearing positive news to have to sit by themselves. I welcome the decision that from this week partners will be allowed to attend the 20-week scan, which is the anomaly scan.

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