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

I thank the Minister. I compliment him on his advocacy for this initiative. He mentioned Cavan general hospital and the midwifery unit there. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge and compliment its staff on the magnificent and pioneering job they do in that flagship midwifery-led unit, the first of its kind on this island. After it came the one in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

The pandemic has given us an opportunity to put a new focus on midwifery-led units and home birthing. We have seen a magnificent increase in the number of women and families looking to deliver their babies at home. That is welcome. Such an holistic approach is important if women are to have a choice. The Minister invested in that, which is welcome. Is there an opportunity to find ways to expand upon our midwifery-led units?

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