The HSE has apologised to families for lengthy delays in publishing a review into the care provided to women at the Maternity Unit at Galway's Portiuncula Hospital.
The review - which was commissioned after a number of serious incidents during childbirth at the hospital last year - is now expected to be completed later this summer.
It was initially indicated that the report - which will examine 18 cases - would be published within five months but that time frame has been extended on several occasions.
At a private meeting held in Ballinasloe, Co Galway last night, up to 11 representatives from the HSE and the Saolta Hospital Group met with families to update them on the review.
RTÉ understands that in an address to families, Pat Nash, Saolta's Group Clinical Director, personally apologised to the families for the continued delays and for miscommunication with them throughout that process.
RTÉ has also learned that the review process for two of the 18 cases currently being examined must begin again due to staffing difficulties.
Two new investigators have now been appointed to these cases.
The overall review is being chaired by Professor James Walker of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Leeds.