I propose to take Questions Nos. 499, 500, 504 and 505 together.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched by WHO and UNICEF in 1991 and is a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. In Ireland the initiative has been in place for 20 years and there are 19 maternity hospitals countrywide, 9 of which have Baby Friendly designation.
In 2016, the HSE, who fund the initiative, commissioned a research team at TCD to undertake a review of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in 2016. The review highlighted the need for a revised model to be developed in line with the Maternity Strategy and action point 3.2 in the HSE National Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2020.
Working with the Health and Wellbeing directorate (health promotion and improvement, public health), the National Women and Infant Health Programme will support the implementation of the WHO/UNICEF 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the basis of the Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative, using a revised model suitable for the promotion and support of breastfeeding in Ireland. This approach will also examine the option of an all-island approach.