Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Health when the new national maternity strategy will be published; the timeframe in place for the relocation of the three Dublin maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27659/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Publication of the National Maternity Strategy is one of my priorities for 2015. The National Maternity Strategy Steering Group, which is advising on the strategy, has now met four times. I attended the most recent meeting of the Group and I am satisfied with the progress made to date.

I was pleased to recently announce the relocation of two of the three Dublin maternity hospitals, following a review by my Department in liaison with a wide range of stakeholders. The current model of stand-alone maternity hospitals is not the norm internationally. KPMG, in their 2008 report on maternity services in the greater Dublin area, recommended that, in order to provide optimal clinical outcomes, maternity hospitals should be co-located with an acute hospital, with one forming part of a tri-located acute, paediatric and maternity facility.

The Rotunda Hospital will be co-located with adult acute services at Connolly Hospital campus, Blanchardstown, while the Coombe will be tri-located at St James's campus with adult acute services and the new national children’s hospital. Co-location of maternity services with adult services provides mothers with access to a full range of medical and support services, should the need arise. Tri-location with paediatric services enhances the clinical benefits for the sickest newborn babies.

The moves, which will align with the established hospital groups, have been welcomed by the Masters of both maternity hospitals. My Department is currently examining alternative funding models, so that the new facilities can be delivered as early as possible.

The relocation of Holles Street to St Vincent's Hospital is currently on programme. Design Stage 1 (preliminary design) was completed in December 2014. The project has now proceeded to Stage 2a – Scheme Design. It is anticipated that a Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála later this year. Assuming no planning difficulties, building is tentatively expected to commence in 2016 and take approximately 30 months to complete.

The progress made on these projects to date provides clear evidence of the Government’s commitment to improving and modernising maternity services in Ireland.