John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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520. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe envisaged for the completion of the investigation into the work practices of a person (details supplied); his views on the fact that the Health Service Executive informed the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee, that there are 29 expectant mothers which is at odds with a previous parliamentary question reply; if he has examined the HSE's MOU signed by this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48419/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I understand from the HSE that the estimated completion date for the two investigations into this issue will be towards the end of the first quarter of 2015.

My office has been advised by the HSE that 11 mothers of the 12 contracted for Home Births have delivered. One mother to be is contracted for a home birth in 2015. The remaining mothers who were known to the person in question have made contact with the designated midwife officer in the HSE. Of the remaining mothers, some have accepted the services of the Self-Employed Community Midwives (SECM) some are still deciding, some have decided to access private maternity services and some have accessed a maternity hospital for their confinement. I would suggest that if any of the remaining mothers-to-be that are known but not contracted to the person named and to the HSE, have any concerns, they should contact their designated midwife officer.

The memorandum of understanding between the HSE and the person named is an operational matter and not something in which I would have any involvement.