Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the roll out of the national maternity strategy; the number of staff required to ensure a full complement of maternity staff across the State; the number of staff that will need to be recruited by grade; the timeline for this recruitment;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30501/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Women & Infants Health Programmewill lead the implementation of Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026.The Programme will scope out the multiprofessional staffing requirement for the new model of care proposed, and prepare a workforce plan to build capacity, and a training needs analysis to build capability, to deliver the new model of service. 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.