Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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342. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will take measures to tackle the lack of services available to women who suffer with severe depression after childbirth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9394/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The National Maternity Strategy recognises the prevalence of post natal depression and the impacts this can have on the mother and the wider family. The strategy recommends that access to specialist mental health services on a tertiary basis should be standardised, and as a minimum provided on a maternity network basis. The Strategy will be implemented over a ten year period and will be led by the new HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. The Programme will oversee the development of maternity networks across hospital groups.

Perinatal Mental Health is recognised as a priority by the Health Service Executive Mental Health Division. In 2016,work commenced on scoping the need for Perinatal Mental Health Services nationally, and in 2017 this prioritisation has continued, with the HSE's National Service Plan 2017 setting out as its priority aims the design and development of perinatal mental health services capacity.