Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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384. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive Ireland East hospital group has been very vague in relation to any investigation into the first of the two reported maternal deaths in the last four months (details supplied), yet immediately passed on details of the second death to the relevant Coroner's office for inquest. [6415/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I fully recognise that maternal death is a terrible human tragedy and I extend my sincerest sympathies to the families involved. However, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

With regard to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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385. To ask the Minister for Health when the Health Information and Qualty Authority will carry out a full report on seven women’s deaths in the maternity services, further to its recently opened public consultation on new maternity standards, which mentions Savita Halappanavar’s death and the baby deaths in Portlaoise, County Laois, but makes no mention of the other seven maternal deaths between 2007 and 2013, where inquests were also held and which returned verdicts of medical misadventure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6416/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that there are now procedures in place to record and review maternal deaths and to ensure that any learning is disseminated and applied to help improve our maternity services.

The Confidential Maternal Death Enquiry in Ireland Report (2015) reports 12 direct maternal deaths in the period 2009 to 2013. A maternal death is classified as a Serious Reportable Events (SREs), and as such, must be reported through the National Incident Management System within 24 hours, investigations commenced within 48 hours of the organisation becoming aware of the incident, and investigations completed within four months of commencement. I understand that maternal deaths are reported to the Coroner as a 'rule of practice'.

The safety of service users is of course of paramount importance. All 19 Maternity Hospital/Units now publish monthly Maternity Patient Safety Statements (MPSS), in line with one of the recommendations of the CMO Portlaoise Report.

I launched the Maternity Strategy earlier this year which sets out a plan for improved, safe, quality maternity services for this country. In addition, HIQA is developing maternity standards which will be finalised later this year which will further strengthen the safety of our maternity services.