Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Health if he, his Department or the Health Service Executive has received letters requesting extra staff in maternity units over the past three years; the way they were responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5915/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that in the past three years, I have received a small number of representations in relation to staffing in maternity units. The Deputy might however note that over that period, despite our falling birth rates, increased numbers of midwives have been employed in the health service. The number of Staff Midwives employed at the end of 2010 was 1,178 (WTE's). By the end of 2013, the number had increased to 1,341, including 20 recently qualified midwives participating in the Graduate Nursing/Midwifery Programme. This increase reflects the capacity of the HSE to appoint critical front-line staff where it is necessary to do so, notwithstanding overall recruitment constraints.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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182. To ask the Minister for Health if he has concerns regarding staffing shortages in maternity units across the country; if he is considering lifting the staff embargo in units where staffing is not deemed safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5916/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet the fiscal and budgetary targets we are obliged to meet. In order to mitigate the impact on front-line services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. The additional working hours provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement are a pivotal element in this regard.

It is recognised that certain services such as maternity are demand led and may also require specialist staffing. Arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of such staff where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement, notwithstanding the overall requirement to reduce staff numbers. The number of Staff Midwives in the health services at the end of 2013 was 1,341 (WTE's) - including 20 recently qualified midwives participating in the Graduate Nursing/Midwifery Programme. This figure is noteworthy, as it shows the manner in which the HSE has the capacity to respond to service needs and to focus recruitment in specific areas where increases are required. It represents a significant increase on the number of Staff Midwives employed at the end of 2010 - 1,178.