Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which his Department is supporting the expanded facilitation of breastfeeding in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On 20 September, the Government gave its approval for the publication of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022. The primary purpose of the Bill is to provide for transposition of elements the EU Work Life Balance Directive and to extend the current entitlement to breastfeeding/lactation breaks under the Maternity Protection Acts from six months to two years.

The extension of breastfeeding breaks is an important support for mothers returning to the workforce after the birth of their child, and will facilitate the combination of breastfeeding and working in line with the WHO recommendation to continue breastfeeding, in combination with suitably nutritious and safe complementary foods, until children are two years old.

The proposals are in line with commitments in FIRST 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families and the National Strategy for Women and Girls. Officials in my Department undertook targeted consultations with employer representative groups and social partners in relation to this proposed extension.

The Minister for Health holds the policy on the broader promotion of breastfeeding from a public health perspective.