Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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922. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to ring-fence funding for the implementation of the national maternity strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37269/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A National Women & Infants Health Programme has been established to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services by bringing together work that is currently undertaken across a number of HSE divisions. The National Maternity Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis and this work will be led by the Programme.

The Strategy confirms that all development funding for maternity services will be ring-fenced and allocated through the Programme. The Programme, with its wide remit and dedicated expertise, will facilitate greater oversight and support for service providers and will ensure the appropriate allocation and targeting of new resources.

€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 being provided for maternity services in 2017 is facilitating the continued implementation of the Strategy.