Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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69. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to implement commitments contained in the national maternity strategy regarding co-locating all remaining stand-alone maternity hospitals with adult acute services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34326/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Co-location of remaining stand-alone maternity hospitals with adult acute services is Government policy. This aligns with international best practice, and is referenced in the National Maternity Strategy.

Co-location provides mothers access to a full range of medical and support services. Tri-location with paediatric services ensures immediate access to specialist paediatric services.

In 2023, Government gave approval for the National Maternity Hospital project to proceed to tender. The new hospital will be co-located with St Vincent’s University Hospital. The tender process, which began in September 2023, is now complete. Tender evaluation is ongoing.

Relocation projects for the remaining stand-alone maternity hospitals are at an early stage. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 includes University Maternity Hospital Limerick relocation project appraisal. Relocation project proposals are required to progress through a series of approval stages. This is in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines published in December 2023. Timelines for relocation of the Coombe and Rotunda are therefore not yet established.