Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

104. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the taskforce for the implementation of the national maternity strategy has met just once in 18 months. [29066/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 -will be implemented on a phased basis. Implementation will be led by the newly established National Women & Infants Health Programme, which was established in January 2017. The Programme chaired the first meeting of the Strategy Implementation Group in April. It is currently working on the detailed implementation plan with a view to completing it by end June.

€3 million development funding provided for maternity services in 2016 was allocated in line with the Strategy, and included funding for additional staff, including 100 midwives, the development of specialist bereavement teams and for the implementation of the Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System. Increased funding of €6.8m has been provided for maternity services in 2017 which will allow for the continued implementation of the Strategy.