Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

999. To ask the Minister for Health the number of midwives he believes should be employed in Cork University Maternity Hospital in order to comply with international best practice; if he will recruit extra midwives to this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12990/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the recruitment of additional midwives in Cork University Hospital to the HSE for direct reply. However, I would take the opportunity to confirm that the HSE has the authority to appoint additional frontline staff to ensure the provision of safe care. While the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets, it is recognised that certain services, such as maternity, are demand led and 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.

The Deputy may also wish to note that a Midwifery Workforce Planning Project has been established within the HSE to examine the current levels of midwifery staffing and healthcare assistants and recommend appropriate staffing levels and or initiatives to improve skill mix.

The Project Group recently held its first meeting ; it is expected that the review, when finalised, will assist in determining the midwifery skill mix/workforce requirements in the future for Cork University Maternity Hospital.