Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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92. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide specific evidence of the implementation of the national maternity strategy; his views regarding the funds that have been made available for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30355/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Women & Infants Health Programme will lead the implementation of Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016-2026. The Programme will lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services, across primary, community and secondary care, strengthening such services by bringing together work that is currently undertaken across a number of divisions. Work to establish the Programme Leadership Team continues.

Pending the establishment of the Programme, work to facilitate the implementation of the Strategy is ongoing. €3 million development funding provided for maternity services in 2016 has been allocated in line with the Strategy, and includes funding for additional staff, including 100 midwives, for the development of specialist bereavement teams and for the implementation of the Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System. Such development follows the additional €2 million allocated in 2015. Increased funding will be provided for maternity services in 2017 which will allow for the continued implementation of the Strategy.

I should also draw the Deputy's attention to the progress which is being made in relation to the development of a set of National Clinical Guidelines for maternity services. These guidelines, which will underpin the Strategy, will be quality assured by the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee. My Department is engaged with HSE and the Clinical Lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology in relation to the guidelines.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with further information on the initiatives referred to in this response.