Written answers

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Department of Health

Departmental Offices

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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754. To ask the Minister for Health the facilities available in his Department to facilitate breastfeeding breaks in accordance with WHO guidelines of two years ago for women in the workplace and as part of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9374/21]

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Breastfeeding is important for the health of both mother and infant, and national health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 and the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020, emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 re-affirmed the commitment to advance public support of breastfeeding and includes an action to extend provision for breastfeeding breaks under employment legislation (currently available to mothers of children under 6 months).

I would like to assure you that encouraging our employees to breastfeed is a priority and my Department has facilities for breast-feeding mothers and visitors in Miesian Plaza. There is one designated private room on its premises which provides appropriate comfortable seating, storage, refrigeration, washing and other facilities for those employees who are breastfeeding and/or expressing breast milk. Employees who wish to use the room for this purpose are provided with secure and private access to use the facility as and when required.

A new Breastfeeding Policy for Staff working in the Public Health Service came into effect in February 2021. This will support staff to continue to breastfeeding on return to work following maternity leave. This policy is being implemented on a cost neutral basis and will allow employees to take 1-hour paid breastfeeding breaks up until their child’s second birthday, in line with WHO/Department of Health Infant Feeding recommendations.

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