914. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide an update of the evaluation of the National Maternity Strategy; to confirm if a working group has been constituted to guide development of a new Strategy or extension of existing one; the timeline for completion of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45257/26]

The National Maternity Strategy - Creating a Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 is in its final year.

Over 98% of the National Maternity Strategy actions are complete or in progress. This represents significant reform since 2016.

The Government is committed to ensuring maternity services are providing safe, nationally consistent, woman-centred care. Since the launch of the National Maternity Strategy in 2016, maternity services have been transformed through the progressive implementation of all 77 recommendations, and the 236 associated actions.  Work is ongoing to ensure full completion of the Strategy in 2026.

We will continue to drive improvement of our maternity services, as outlined across a number of Programme for Government commitments, including a commitment to develop a successor to the current National Maternity Strategy.

Determining the future direction for maternity services will require a strong and comprehensive evidence base. A review and evaluation of the current Strategy will provide an important starting point. This will be carried out alongside the ongoing work on outstanding actions to be completed in the Strategy’s final year.

The HSE's National Women and Infant's Health Programme (NWIHP) are currently reviewing the implementation of the Strategy’s actions, which has included engagement with staff across our maternity services. A full assessment of the delivery of the Strategy will form a key part of the considerations for the successor to be delivered in 2027.

My Department will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the successor to the Strategy builds on the progress achieved to date and sets a clear and deliverable roadmap for the continued improvement of maternity services.