The HSE says a panel of more than 30 midwives has been created at Portlaoise Hospital after a recent review of staffing arrangements.

It emerged this morning that in January the midwife to patient ratio there was 1 to 70. By comparison, the internationally recommended standard is 1 to 29.5.

Portlaoise Hospital has been under investigation after the death of several babies in recent years.

General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Liam Doran says, "nationally we are short about 640 midwives to properly staff our maternity unit. Portlaoise is the worst in the country, but there is no unit or hospital adequately staffed".

The INMO is gathering this afternoon for its annual conference, which is set to be dominated by staffing levels and issues related to safe care.