Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When I spoke in the Seanad last week I raised the issue of maternity services restrictions, which is on many Members' minds today. I am glad there was clarification from on high, but there does not seem to be the same clarification in the three maternity hospitals and 16 maternity units around the country. It is beyond time that partners were allowed to attend for scans and the full labour.

I now direct the Leader's attention to the time after childbirth and the first 12 months of a baby's life. Any mother can attest to the wonderful joy, sleepless nights and the challenges this time can bring. Having developmental checks is extremely important for a child aged between nine and 11 months. Understandably, public health nurse visits and screening checks have been curtailed and delayed as a result of the restrictions, but we are at a point now where there is an absolute need for clarity. These assessments are very important because they assess a child's physical development, motor skills, eyesight, hearing, speech development and social and emotional behaviour.This should be carried out by a public health nurse. I was shocked to learn that 3,235 babies in Kildare and west Wicklow are still waiting on that nine to 11 month developmental check. We all talk about how important early intervention is and this is the time when many of these issues can be picked up. This is adding to the stress of first-time parents and there is an absolute necessity for a plan to be put in place. I call on the HSE to urgently roll out a catch-up programme for Kildare and west Wicklow. I have no doubt it is the same around the country.