Vol. 517 No. 4
76 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will initiate research to discover the reason mothers choose not to breastfeed in order to put in place a more effective knowledge based programme to increase breastfeeding rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9915/00]
My Department is committed to increase the number of mothers who breastfeed by the continued implementation of the recommendations set out in the National Breastfeeeding Policy. Although the incidence of breastfeeding in Ireland remains low, the health promotion unit of my Department will continue with initiatives to increase the rates of breastfeeding. A new health promotion strategy currently being developed will place continued emphasis on the implementation and review of the recommendations set out in the National Breastfeeding Policy. The need for a research initiative as outlined by the Deputy will be considered in the context of that review.
