Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

810. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within her Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under her remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50347/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is committed to promoting and supporting breastfeeding and expressing breast milk which leads to positive health outcomes for parent and child. The World Health Organisation recommends the continuation of breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.

In this regard, and consistent with Circular 31 of 2006 concerning the Implementation of the Maternity (Amendment) Act, 2004, my Department ensures that employees who are breastfeeding and/or expressing breast milk are afforded breastfeeding breaks, or an adjustment in working hours, until the child reaches 2 years of age. This is in accordance with guidance provided by the World Health Organisation and the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020.

While demand to-date has not required permanently dedicated spaces, my Department provides suitable onsite facilities, where requested, at both our Dublin and Ballina locations, thus affording time and support to our breastfeeding employees and employees expressing breast milk, until the child reaches 2 years of age.

There are four agencies under the aegis of my Department, the Charities Regulator, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland and the Western Development Commission. Agencies under my remit accord with Circular 31 of 2006 and associated maternity legislation regarding breastfeeding and expressing breast milk provisions in the workplace.

The Charities Regulator has a room available in it's office at 3 Georges dock, Dublin 1 which can be used privately and exclusively for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk.

Pobal has offices in Cork, Clifden, Galway, Monaghan, Sligo, Kilkenny, Limerick, Mullingar and 3 offices in Dublin. Pobal do not have dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and/or expressing breast milk, however such requests from employees are facilitated by zoning rooms as private, as required.

Water Safety Ireland (WSI) does not have a dedicated space for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in their Galway office. WSI provides an adjustment in working hours, without loss of pay, to breastfeeding employees and employees expressing milk, until the child is 2 years old.

The Western Development Commission has offices located in Roscommon, Sligo, Letterkenny and Galway. The offices in Roscommon, Sligo and Letterkenny do not offer breastfeeding facilities, however, an adjustment in working hours, without loss of pay, is afforded to breastfeeding employees and employees expressing milk, until the child is 2 years old. Galway office staff are afforded dedicated facilities for breastfeeding and/or expressing milk, as required.