Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The previous Government piloted a scheme in Limerick and Wexford for the provision of baby boxes to all newborn children. The concept has been championed by Deputy Richmond as a means to ensure the State gives all newborn babies an equal start in the form of a box containing all of the essentials, including blankets, recyclable nappies, thermometers, clothes, and information on nutrition and health for mother, baby and all of the family. The box itself can convert into a cot for a newborn because it has a good quality mattress within it. That is not only a practical provision for first-time or second-time parents, but is a good example of the State cherishing all of its children equally and welcoming them into the world with a lovely gift that provides for an excellent start in life.It is a strong message of support and welcome from the State to every child as well as an excellent opportunity to ensure an equality of provision and a universal standard of information. The roll-out of the baby box is contained in the programme for Government. I welcome that and am delighted to see it. I ask the Leader, when practicable, to invite the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to the House to provide detailed information on when that roll-out will commence and when national distribution of the first baby boxes will begin.