There's been a broad welcome for a plan to move all Dublin’s maternity services to sites adjoining existing adult hospitals.

The Department of Health wants to relocate the three maternity hospitals following a review of services.

The Coombe will be moving to St. James' - to join the new Childrens' Hospital - and the National Maternity Hospital had already announced a move to the St Vincents campus in south Dublin.

Meanwhile, the Rotunda is set to move to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

In 2013, there were 20,000 babies born in the three Dublin maternity hospitals - all of which have complained of chronic lack of space.

Today's announcement follows a review conduced by the Department of Health.

It is understood the plan is to build three new 21st century hospitals.

The total cost for the 3 moves will be in the region of €450 million (€150 million per hospital), and it is hoped it will be done under the Public Private Partnership model.

Sharon Sheehan is Master of the Coombe, and says the plan will be good for mothers and babies:

General-secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), Liam Doran, says the current hospitals are not suitable.

Earlier the Health Minister defended the plan to move the Rotunda Maternity Hospital to his constituency in West Dublin.

Minister Leo Varadkar says moving the Rotunda to the constituency he shares with the Tánaiste Joan Burton is not a political stroke: