Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
558. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan, the framework for progressing help and assistance for breastfeeding in Ireland; if there is a policy for the protection of infant and young child feeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2363/24]
View answerEncouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department of Health and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). National health policy, which includes the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, all emphasise the importance of supporting mothers to breastfeed, as well as the overall aim of increasing breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
Since 2016, through the Health Service Breastfeeding Action Plan (Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland), progress has been realised in supports available for breastfeeding in Ireland. Access to education and training for all healthcare staff has improved to provide evidence-based care to expecting and new parents. The HSE has established the National Breastfeeding Implementation Group to progress a range of actions, across a number of divisions, to provide the supports that mothers require at all stages of the breastfeeding continuum.
Resources have been made widely available in healthcare settings, which highlight the benefits of breastfeeding while also providing practical information on developing the skill of breastfeeding in those first few weeks and months. The HSE mychild.ie website, is a one stop point of information for parents of infants and young children, to promote healthy eating in the first one thousand days of life. Peer support groups and the establishment of the “We’re breastfeeding friendly” initiatives are welcome supports promoted by the Healthy Ireland framework to encourage new mothers to feel at ease breastfeeding their infants on demand, when out and about socialising with friends and family. Access to education and training for all healthcare staff has improved due to availability of blended learning options, such as HSELanD, which has enabled healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based care to expecting and new parents.
In 2021, Minister Donnelly announced additional funding to the HSE of €1.58 million to fund 24 additional lactation consultants to support more new mothers in maternity and primary care settings to breastfeed their infants. There are currently 58.1 WTE dedicated lactation posts employed in the HSE, with 35.5 WTE working in maternity services and 22.6 WTE in primary care.
The capacity to support infant feeding as part of core child health services and supports will be increased significantly with investment in a dedicated child health workforce as recommended within First 5 strategy and Sláintecare actions.
The vision of the Healthy Ireland framework is that everyone can reach physical and mental health and well-being to their full potential and promoting breastfeeding is positive step towards that goal. Government support and promotion of breastfeeding is evident in the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative Report (WBTI) report that was published in late 2023. The report sets out clear objectives for further development, which can be used to benchmark future breastfeeding initiatives The Government remains committed to improving the breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
