A major survey of staffing levels in Ireland's maternity hospitals has identified a ‘critical shortage' of midwives.

According to the findings from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), no maternity hospital or unit in the country has the internationally recommended midwife-to-birth ratio of 1:29.5 births.

The ratio currently varies from 1:30 to 1:55. The national average is 1:38.

The INMO insists that over 550 midwives are required nationwide to reach the recommended staffing levels.

The survey found that the maternity unit in Portlaoise was the poorest staffed unit in the country, with a ratio of one midwife for every 55 births. It would require an additional 33 midwives to reach the recommended ratio.

Meanwhile, the Coombe in Dublin, which is now the support hospital for Portlaoise, is also severely understaffed, with just one midwife for every 40 births.

The INMO highlighted that Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and University Hospital Galway, both of which have been the subject of major scandals in recent years, are also seriously understaffed.

The INMO is planning to meet the Department of Health later this month to discuss this issue. It said it will be seeking the introduction of a number of measures, including the immediate lifting of the moratorium on recruitment and the immediate commencement of a recruitment drive for midwives.

The INMO has also sought a meeting with the HSE and has written to the chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Jerry Buttimer TD, seeking an immediate meeting with the Committee to discuss this crisis.

According to INMO general secretary, Liam Doran, ‘we do not need any more reports or reviews'. Instead ‘immediate action' is needed in relation to the recruitment of midwives.

Also commenting on the issue, INMO president, Claire Mahon, said that it is clear that staffing levels have a direct consequence on the standard of midwifery care.

"Money invested in maternity services is also money invested in the future health of this country," she added.