Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 510: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to increase as a matter of extreme urgency the number of midwives employed at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to give a ratio of births to midwives of significantly less than 58:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15260/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive has advised my Department that it has approved 22 new midwife posts and 2 specialist nurse posts at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. The HSE will continue to monitor staffing levels within the maternity services unit at the Hospital relative to demand.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to furnish the Deputy with any additional information relevant to the matter.