Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
626. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the unit in his Department that has responsibility for liaising with Coimisiún na Meán in respect of the development of online and media safety codes pertaining to the marketing of breastmilk substitutes specifically; the unit that is responsible for the policy guidance on breastmilk substitutes more broadly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15996/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra627. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE's Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland action plan has been extended; if so, for how long; what plans are in place for the development of a successor policy; when stakeholder engagement will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15997/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra628. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health what measures are currently in place to improve and monitor compliance with the WHO International Code of Marketing Breastmilk across Departments and in partnership with cross-sectoral agencies; who in his Department and the HSE is responsible for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15998/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra629. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the results of the Irish World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative Report; if his Department will establish an infant feeding communication forum for Government Departments and the HSE, as per the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15999/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 to 629, inclusive, together.
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department of Health and for the HSE National Health Policy. The Healthy Ireland Framework, Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan and the National Cancer Strategy emphasises the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland. Research indicates that breastfeeding gives a child the optimum start in life and that increasing our breastfeeding rates will contribute to improvements in child and maternal health and can contribute to the reduction of childhood obesity and chronic diseases.
The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan 2016-2021 is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland. A HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan Implementation Group was established to oversee delivery of the plan and a national breastfeeding Co-Ordinator was appointed as lead. The Department of Health works closely with the HSE National Breast-Feeding Co-ordinator in the implementation of HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021, which has been extended out to 2025. A considerable number of areas have been progressed over the last number of years and there are a number of initiatives currently underway.
In reference to developing marketing codes specific to breastmilk substitutes, the Department is liaising with the Coimisiún na Meán which was established in March 2023 further to the provisions of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022. The OSMR Act 2022 amended the Broadcasting Act 2009 to establish Coimisiún na Meán and dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”).
In addition to undertaking the functions of the BAI as the regulator for broadcasting in Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán is to establish a regulatory framework for online safety, update the regulation of television broadcasting and audiovisual on-demand services, and transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive into Irish law.
The standards and practices that can be addressed through regulatory codes and rules include the advertisement of certain foods and beverages. In this regard, the Act states that codes and rules can be introduced which “may prohibit or restrict the inclusion in programmes or user-generated content of commercial communications considered by An Coimisiún to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children, in particular infant formula, follow-on formula or those foods or beverages which contain fat, trans-fatty acids, salts or sugars”. Officials from the Department of Health have contributed to the recent public consultation on the draft safety code and met with officials from An Coimisiún to discuss their work programme.
An important action of the HSE Breastfeeding Action Plan is to strengthen compliance with the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and subsequent WHA resolutions. The HSE implemented its national policy to support compliance with the Code in 2021. Marketing of breast milk substitutes and new standards for infant feeding in maternity services requires that there be no advertising of formula milk, teats, bottles, and soothers in any part of the maternity services and that staff take active measures to protect themselves and parents, by not participating in formula industry sponsored training and events.
Furthermore, in 2022, revised Infant Feeding Standards for maternity and neonatal services were published in Ireland. This followed a review of the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) in Ireland, and the publication of revised WHO guidance for the implementation of BFI in 2018. The Standards describe the infant feeding practices and management process required within services to implement the HSE Infant Feeding Policy for Maternity and Neonatal services.
Set out below is the current position of the HSE in the context of its responsibilities under the Code;
• Self-assessment against national standards for infant feeding in maternity services completed in 2023, including areas relating to the Code.
• Five of the nineteen maternity services have implemented non-branded teats into postnatal units to reduce marketing of brands.
• Review of procedures for infant formula completed in 2023, to ensure compliance with the national clinical policy for primary care.
The Department recognises that further measures to improve and monitor compliance with the WHO code are needed across government departments and in partnership with cross-sectorial agencies.
The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) is an initiative that assists countries to assess and monitor the status of policies and programmes related to infant and young child feeding (IYCF). The Department has reviewed the 2023 first WBTi report, the findings of which indicate that while Ireland is performing well on some policy and programme indicators, noted that some improvements need to be made in feeding practices. The Department has considered these findings and is working closely with the HSE and relevant stakeholders to improve upon and expand breastfeeding resources in Ireland.
The Department is working with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland towards the establishment of an all-Island Breastfeeding Network in the near future. In collaboration with the Institute of Public Health (IPH), it is anticipated that this Forum will provide opportunities for research, promotion of breastfeeding and stakeholder engagement to be developed across the island.
The HSE is in regular communication with the Department providing updates on progress made in the Breastfeeding Action Plan. Currently the HSE are evaluating the implementation of the Breastfeeding Action plan. Once the review is completed, the Department will meet with the HSE and relevant stakeholders to develop the future breastfeeding policy and strategic plan.
The Government remains committed to improving breastfeeding rates and moving towards normalising breastfeeding within our community. Promotion of breastfeeding as part of healthy lifestyle choices will remain a priority for new policy development over the coming years.
