Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

499. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to adhere to the baby friendly health initiative. [32786/17]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

500. To ask the Minister for Health the body which ensures that the maternity hospitals achieve the baby friendly health initiative. [32787/17]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

504. To ask the Minister for Health the national policy for baby friendly hospitals for all maternity hospitals if the baby friendly hospital initiative is not included in the breastfeeding action plan. [32791/17]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

505. To ask the Minister for Health the reason fewer hospitals are participating in baby friendly health initiative accreditation. [32792/17]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 499, 500, 504 and 505 together.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched by WHO and UNICEF in 1991 and is a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. In Ireland the initiative has been in place for 20 years and there are 19 maternity hospitals countrywide, 9 of which have Baby Friendly designation.

In 2016, the HSE, who fund the initiative, commissioned a research team at TCD to undertake a review of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in 2016. The review highlighted the need for a revised model to be developed in line with the Maternity Strategy and action point 3.2 in the HSE National Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2020.

Working with the Health and Wellbeing directorate (health promotion and improvement, public health), the National Women and Infant Health Programme will support the implementation of the WHO/UNICEF 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the basis of the Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative, using a revised model suitable for the promotion and support of breastfeeding in Ireland. This approach will also examine the option of an all-island approach.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

501. To ask the Minister for Health the way the HSE plans to fund an accreditation unit for the baby friendly health initiative. [32788/17]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

502. To ask the Minister for Health the reason Galway national maternity hospital, Mullingar maternity hospital and Portlaoise maternity hospital have lost their baby friendly health initiative certification. [32789/17]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

503. To ask the Minister for Health the communication the HSE has had with the baby friendly hospital initiative; and the role the HSE plans to play in the implementation of the baby friendly hospital initiative in the 2016-21 breastfeeding action plan. [32790/17]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 to 503, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.