Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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563. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost per child of introducing a baby box scheme similar to that operating in Scotland. [23659/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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"Baby Boxes" for newborns are to be trialled in a pilot under the national Early Years Strategy that is to be published later this year. Piloting Baby Boxes is just one initiative which will be part of a wide ranging strategy that will address various aspects of the lives of babies and young children under 6 years old and their families including supports to balance working and caring of children, developments in early childhood care and education and health initiatives.

A Baby Box is intended to welcome a new arrival to a family and acknowledge a very significant moment for parents. Key objectives with the Baby Box and linked communications will be to support parents through information on baby development and early learning, advice on breastfeeding and promotion of infant safety. Distribution of a Baby Box is also an early opportunity to link parents in with support services if required. This is consistent with the principle of progressive universalism whereby all families receive something, but where there are additional needs, extra supports are provided.

The concept of Baby Boxes originates in Finland, and has been implemented in a number of other countries including Scotland, and consists of a package of items to assist with the transition to parenthood including safety items, baby clothes and toys and books to support early development. The pilot project will undertake research and consultation with child development experts and with parents to determine items for inclusion in the pack and accompanying information resources. There will be a significant emphasis in the pilot on evaluation of impact and cost-benefit analysis of the measure with a view to determining whether the initiative is suitable for wider roll out.

Until the pilot project and scoping is undertaken it is not possible to estimate the cost of introducing the Baby Box initiative to Ireland as the cost would be heavily dependent on the design of the box itself and what is included in it. Supply of items for inclusion would be subject to procurement rules.