Vol. 522 No. 3
30 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will re-establish the national committee to promote breastfeeding; if so, when it will be re-established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18530/00]
The strategy being pursued in relation to breastfeeding by the health promotion unit of my Department is in accordance with the recommendations of the national breastfeeding policy. This policy has guided developments and initiatives in relation to the promotion of breastfeeding. While many recommendations have been implemented it is acknowledged that the incidence of breastfeeding in this country continues to be lower than that of our European counterparts.
However, a new health promotion strategy currently being developed will call for a more structured approach to the implementation of the recommendations set out in the national breastfeeding policy. As part of this new strategy, it is proposed to appoint a national breastfeeding co-ordinator who will advise the health promotion unit on the effectiveness of current policy actions in Ireland and on the measures required to increase breastfeeding rates. The question of the re-establishment of the National Committee to Promote Breastfeeding will be considered in the context of this revised approach.
