Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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625. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department considered adding a cloth nappy to the new baby bundle initiative considering the climate emergency at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31919/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Following my recent announcement of the Little Baby Bundle pilot scheme, my Department are now overseeing a procurement process for a Managing Agent to design the bundle, procure its contents, to handle storage and coordinate delivery.

I am happy to advise the Deputy that the sample contents list, designed in collaboration with the Advisory Group and reflected in the Request for Tenders (RfT), includes reusable nappies, with the option for a reusable nappy voucher as an alternative.

The RfT also welcomes creative thinking from tenderers on how to build sustainable solutions and supply chains for Ireland, and invites tenders on how to reduce the carbon footprint and climate impact of the Little Baby Bundle.

The closing date for receipt of tenders is 1 August 2022. An RfT for the Little Baby Bundle Evaluation Partner, who will examine whether the Little Baby Bundle is suitable for wider roll-out, will be published later this Summer.