Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
374. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the roll-out of the baby bundle scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33365/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the national roll-out of the baby bundle will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33366/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
Following my recent announcement of the First 5 Little Baby Bundle Pilot Scheme, my Department are now overseeing a procurement process for a Managing Agent to design the bundle, procure its contents, to handle storage and coordinate delivery.
We hope to have a managing agent in place to deliver this pilot scheme in the autumn. Expectant parents at the maternity wards in the Rotunda Hospital and University Hospital Waterford will be invited to sign up at their 20-22 week antenatal scan, with the earliest pilot Bundles delivered in December 2022.
My Department are currently in the process of finalising a Request for Tenders (RfT) for an Evaluation Partner to evaluate the First 5 Little Baby Bundle Pilot Scheme, to measure the impact of the Bundle, and to examine whether the Bundle is suitable for a wider roll-out. We hope to have initial findings from the Evaluation Partner in the summer of next year.
