Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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764. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the option for pregnant women of having a home birth; if there is a national policy in place governing the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8236/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department and the Health Service Executive respect an individual's choice in childbirth and their right to have a home birth.

Currently in Ireland there is a National Domiciliary Midwifery service available to eligible expectant mothers who wish to avail of a home birth service under the care of a self-employed community midwife (SECM). This service is provided by the self-employed community midwife on behalf of the Health Service Executive who signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Health Service Executive. Each self-employed community midwife who agrees to be bound by the terms of this Memorandum of Understanding, is covered by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS), operated by the State Claims Agency for clinical negligence or medical malpractice arising from the provision of community midwifery services.

The criteria for eligibility for the home birth service provided by the self-employed community midwives on behalf of the Health Service Executive was drafted by a group of experts including midwives and obstetricians.