Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
706. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has explored the role which telemedicine and ehealth solutions can have in providing support to young mothers which would help increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36255/20]
View answer707. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has examined recent studies which identify that there are significant advantages for babies if they are breastfed; his plans to initiate a campaign which would promote same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36256/20]
View answer708. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he, Ministers of State within his Department or other officials in his Department have met with third-party groups on promoting breastfeeding in Ireland; if so, the persons or bodies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36257/20]
View answer709. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if there are internal working groups, committees or other relevant bodies in his Department examining the issue of low breastfeeding rates in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36258/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 706 to 709, inclusive, together.
Breastfeeding is important for the health of both mother and infant, and national health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026, the National Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025 and the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority for the Department of Health. To deliver on this priority, the HSE is working to achieve the aims and objectives of the Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland – HSE Action Plan 2016-2021. The National Breastfeeding Coordinators team in the HSE have regular links with the Health Promotion Advisor in Health and Wellbeing in the Department.
Implementation of the Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland – HSE Action Plan 2016-2021 includes initiatives in the following areas:
1. Improved governance and health service structures
2. Breastfeeding training and skills development
3. Health service policies and practices
4. Support at all stages of the breastfeeding continuum through social marketing, support and advocacy.
The HSE is partnering with key stakeholders to develop the supports that mothers require at all stages of the breastfeeding continuum through social marketing, support and advocacy. The www.mychild.ie website provides pregnant and new mothers and families with a range of information and supports about infant feeding. An Ask Our Expert (AOE) on-line service, provided by International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, is available to answer mothers' questions and link them to supports in their local area. The webchat facility and HSE breastfeeding Facebook page is also available. These services provide supportive and practical expert information in a friendly, supportive and non-judgemental manner.
The Maternity Strategy states that "in addition to practical supports which can be provided to mothers, such as support to continue breastfeeding on return to the workplace, a broader societal change in required in order to promote a more positive culture around breastfeeding. This should support women to feel confident about their choice to breastfeed". In essence, this means that all mothers should be supported to breastfeed at anytime and anywhere.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 re-affirmed the commitment to advance public support of breastfeeding and includes an action to extend provision for breastfeeding breaks under employment legislation (currently available to mothers of children under 6 months).
The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme, in collaboration with health promotion and improvement and public health services in the HSE, supports the implementation of the WHO/UNICEF 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding using a model suitable for the promotion and support of breastfeeding in Ireland. This approach is also examining the option of an all-island approach.
I can assure the Deputy that that breastfeeding will remain a priority and the Department of Health and the HSE will continue working to achieve the aims and objectives of the Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland – HSE Action Plan 2016-2021.
