Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
499. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a recent report (details supplied) which found that women in Ireland struggle with breastfeeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55771/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health welcomes the publication of the first World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) Assessment Report for Ireland and, would like to acknowledge the work of the Core Group in producing this report and the contributions made by many stakeholders.
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The WBTi Assessment Report provides a comprehensive overview of a number of policy achievements promoting breastfeeding in Ireland; including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy.
Since 2016, through the Health Service Breastfeeding Action Plan (Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland), progress has been realised through 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. 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.
The WBTi 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 and it will remain a priority for new policy development.
