Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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511. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the assessment of midwifery workforce levels against the 2016 birth rate plus methodology in the context of the new model of care. [30694/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE Midwifery Workforce Planning Project Report modelled on Birthrate Plus methodologies was published in April 2016. This Report recommended a range of midwifery staffing ratios across the 19 maternity hospitals/units taking into account the variability in working arrangements and clinical practices between the different sites and services. This Report also acknowledged that the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy 2016 – 2026 would have a significant impact to the way midwifery services are delivered and will consequently have a further impact on workforce requirements. The National Women & Infants Health Programme in the HSE, is leading on the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy, which includes identifying and resolving requirements in relation to staffing.

As this is an operational issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to your query directly.