Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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369. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the reported resignations by midwifery senior experts that seem to be linked to the pace of reform in maternity services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33615/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy of the Government's commitment to the progressive development of our maternity services. Indeed, 2016 has been a landmark year for maternity services with the publication of the country's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026. The publication of the Strategy demonstrates a new and enhanced focus on maternity care at both policy and service delivery level, and provides a roadmap for how we can improve maternity and neonatal care in the years ahead.

The Deputy will also be interested to learn that HIQA will publish newNational Standards for Safer Better Maternity Servicesin the coming weeks. The Standards will provide a framework for maternity service providers to ensure that they are meeting the needs of women, their babies and their partners, and that a consistent service is delivered across the country. I believe that the National Maternity Strategy and the National Maternity Standards represent the necessary building blocks to provide a consistently safe and high quality maternity service.

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to your query regarding the resignation of senior midwifery staff, as this is an operational matter.