Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide mother and baby units in the Dóchas Centre and in Limerick female prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35665/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There are no babies at present in the care of mothers in custody. However, there is a considerable level of support available for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre when the need arises. Provisions are made to facilitate new mothers keeping their infants with them in custody where appropriate, so as not to disrupt early bonding. In such cases the mother and child are provided with their own single room with en-suite facilities on their return to the Dóchas Centre after giving birth. Required items such as a cot, baby food, nappies etc. are also provided. While there is no mother and baby unit in Limerick Female Prison, any woman who needs to be accommodated in such a unit is facilitated with a transfer to the Dóchas Centre.