Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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801. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within his Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under his remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50334/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has overall responsibility for the implementation of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020.

Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 has provision for certain women in employment who are breastfeeding to take time off work, or a reduction in working hours for breastfeeding. This provision applies to all women in employment who have given birth over the previous 26 weeks, who are breastfeeding and who have informed their employer of such.

My Department operates from 70 locations nationwide, including five headquarter offices and a wide range of regional locations across the country. Of these, 31 buildings or 44%, of offices catering for the majority of staff, having dedicated rest rooms which can be used by staff as required.

With respect to the provisions above and any potential requirements arising with respect to breastfeeding breaks, the overwhelming majority of staff in my Department have access to facilities which would cater appropriately for such needs.

As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves.

The attached table sets out a list of the buildings which do and do not have these facilities.