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

I acknowledge the difficulties and the impact that access limitations in maternity services have had on women and their partners during the Covid-19 pandemic.

While I appreciate that the support of a partner is vitally important to expectant mothers, I remind the House that maternity hospitals and units introduced these measures to protect the well-being of the vulnerable women and babies in their care. It is worth noting that maternity services have performed very well in this respect and have continued to provide quality maternity care during what has been a very challenging time.

The Senator has asked that the clinical lead in the HSE would engage, on behalf of the Department, with people who advocate in regard to these very difficult and important issues. I will convey that to the Department.

We are now at a point where access for partners has been greatly increased. Notwithstanding this, the HSE is currently reviewing the clinical guidance on any remaining access limitations in view of the recent surge in Covid-19. I hope that in the coming weeks these issues and difficulties will be ironed out. I very much welcome these advocates and assure them and the Senator that these difficulties will be raised at the highest possible level.