Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the withdrawal of insurance cover for the country's approximate 15 independent midwives; her views on extending the Health Service Executive clinical indemnity scheme to cover the midwives contracted to work in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19581/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The insurance cover referred to by the Deputy is currently provided by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), which has indicated that from 30 September 2007 it will no longer be possible for them to equitably underwrite the risk. Discussions on the issues involved have already been initiated between my Department, the State Claims Agency (SCA) and the HSE. The SCA, which has responsibility for the operation of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme that covers healthcare professionals operating in the public health system, and my Department are now jointly examining the matter and will be meeting with the interested parties in the near future.