Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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718. To ask the Minister for Health the way the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director has been constituted; from whom the authority of the office is derived; the criteria and schedule of work that accompanies the position of national lead midwife; if the national lead midwife post was advertised; if not, the reason for this; when the district midwife officer posts were advertised and the criteria regarding relevant home birth experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41631/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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719. To ask the Minister for Health the collective experience of the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director regarding home births; the evidence of continuing professional development, specifically in respect of home birth; the contemporaneous experience of the assistant nursing officer in his Department on working with evidence-based midwifery care; if this structure of Health Service Executive supervisory midwifery officers and departmental advisers is fit for purpose to develop a safe evidence-based maternity service for women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41632/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I have referred the Deputies' query in relation to the Office for Nursing and Midwifery Services to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

In regards to the second issue raised in your question, the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer in question has in excess of 20 years experience in maternal and child health care. On the basis of her expertise and qualifications she was appointed to the post of Deputy Chief Nursing Officer with responsibility for Women's Health, Child Health and Welfare and Primary Care Services.

I am satisfied that the structures within the HSE and my department, for the development of maternity services, are appropriate and fit for purpose.