Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
350. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health if she will embed an action plan to end preventable baby deaths in the next National Maternity Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10777/26]
View answerThe National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 is in its final year. The continued improvement of our maternity services is a priority for this Government, as outlined across a number of Programme for Government commitments, including to develop a successor to the current Strategy.
Reducing preventable perinatal and neonatal deaths is a core priority of this work. Significant progress has been made in improving maternity and neonatal outcomes, supported by a programme of training, research, audit, and development and review of clinical guidelines through the National Maternity Strategy. A full assessment of the delivery of the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 will form a key part of the considerations for the successor, as outlined in the Programme for Government. Further work is being undertaken by the Department and the HSE in 2026 to collate an evidence base from which this successor will draw. This includes learnings from the recently published National Maternity Experience Survey 2025, where over 3,300 women participated to ensure that women’s voices and experiences continue to be at the centre of maternity policy. This planned approach will assess the achievement of the current Strategy and identify the direction of the successor in order to adapt and deliver measurable improvements for women and infants in our maternity services.
