Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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183. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the national maternity hospital.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59210/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government.

As the Deputy may be aware, the proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which was finalised in 2016 following an extensive mediation process between the NMH and St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG). The Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.

The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements and to ensure protection of the State’s investment. Work is ongoing towards the finalisation of the legal arrangements.

I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it affirms that that State’s investment in the new hospital is safeguarded, as well as providing assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. However, as I have stated previously, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until the process has concluded.