Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to serious health and safety issues due to inadequate facilities at the maternity unit, Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; if she is satisfied that the appropriate resources have been provided in order to ensure the highest standard of care for patients at the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32809/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware of concerns raised regarding services pressures at the Maternity Unit at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise arising from a significant increase in activity at the unit.

The Health Service Executive informed my Department that it is fully committed to upgrading facilities in the Maternity Unit at the Hospital. In this regard, the Executive advised that €3m capital funding had been approved in 2007 to facilitate an upgrade of the unit. Work has also been completed recently on the provision of an Assessment Unit at the Maternity Department. The equipping of the unit is at an advanced stage and is expected to be brought into use in the near future. In addition, arrangements are in place to recruit additional staff for the maternity unit. Advertisements for additional permanent maternity staff were placed in early September and the HSE expects that further permanent midwife staff will be appointed as a result of this advertisement.

Arrangements have also been made for the re-designation of existing Day Ward beds to facilitate any overflow from the Maternity Department.

The Health Service Executive fully accepts that the developments are urgent and necessary in the context of the increasing number of births taking place at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.

My Department has asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to provide the Deputy with any additional information on the development of facilities to support the maternity unit.