Ms Fiona Rea:

The overarching aim of the Health Service Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016–2021, Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland, is to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates by supporting, and enabling, more mothers to breastfeed. The parts that particularly relate to Cuidiú are as follows: "3.5 Provide infant feeding antenatal education for all pregnant women." This has been allocated to the acute hospitals but there is also a place for Cuidiú, and other services, to provide breastfeeding education; "3.6 Develop a clear referral pathway for mothers requiring additional breastfeeding support before and after birth, to Lactation Consultants." Again, we would see that Cuidiú could have a role here, giving us clear guidelines as to who we can and should refer to, and also having GPs and public health nurses, PHNs, refer to us when mums need support rather than clinical help; "3.9 Provide breastfeeding support groups in all CHO areas through: Maternity and public health nursing services. Grant agreement with voluntary organisations such as La Leche League and Cuidiú. Provide social support groups through grant agreement with Friends of Breastfeeding." Cuidiú and the other groups have been working steadily in this area over many years now with support from the HSE. We note, however, that the funding has been steadily decreasing while expectations grow; and, "3.11 Implement evidence-informed programmes and initiatives to promote breastfeeding, provide support and address barriers for women least likely to breastfeed." We would see a role for Individuals who have been trained by Cuidiú, in being part of a multidisciplinary task force of stakeholders who have expertise and can help communities to set up their own support systems.