Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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188. To ask the Minister for Health if the Ireland east hospital group insisted that a full internal report on the death of a person (details supplied) be carried out before an inquest could be scheduled. [45530/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the report into the death of a person (details supplied) being carried out and delivered to the Ireland east hospital group. [45531/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

I can assure the Deputy that procedures are in place to record and review maternal deaths and to ensure that any learning is disseminated and applied to help improve our maternity services.

A maternal death is classified as a Serious Reportable Event and, as such, must be reported through the National Incident Management System within 24 hours. Investigations must be commenced within 48 hours of the organisation becoming aware of the incident and completed within four months of commencement. In addition, from now on, all maternal deaths will be subject to a review which is external to the Maternity Network/Hospital Group. I understand that maternal deaths are also reported to the Coroner as a 'rule of practice'.

With regard to the specific information sought by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.