Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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357. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns that the reputation of the maternal healthcare system here is being undermined and damaged by claims it is dangerous to the health of its service users; his views on whether Ireland has a world class maternal healthcare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22098/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is not clear which claims the Deputy is referring to.  However, I welcome the opportunity to outline my views on maternity care in Ireland. While our maternity services compare very well with those in other countries in terms of safety and individual outcomes, it would be remiss of us not to strive to improve those services.  In that regard, I am pleased to confirm the Government's commitment to the progressive development of our maternity services. 

Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy was published in 2016 and its phased implementation is being led by the National Women and Infants' Health Programme (NWIHP).  The Strategy aims to ensure that appropriate care pathways are in place in order that mothers, babies and families get the right care, at the right time, by the right team and in the right place.  Similarly, it recognises that, while all pregnant women need a certain level of support, some will require more specialised care.  The Strategy aims to increase choice for women whilst ensuring that services are safe. Accordingly, an integrated model is proposed that delivers care at the lowest level of complexity and encompasses all the necessary safety nets in line with patient safety principles.

With the €4.15m allocated to the Strategy this year, the NWIHP has prioritised; improving quality and safety, establishing community midwifery teams and increasing access to anomaly scans. This follows previous investment of €3m development funding provided for maternity services in 2016 and increased funding of €6.8m provided in 2017. That money 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. Such developments have, and will, deliver tangible benefits for the 80,000 families who access maternity care each year.