Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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536. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a mother and baby unit for mothers who require inpatient mental health supports. [45929/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Model of Care for Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (SPMHS) was launched in 2017, adopting a hub and spoke model. Services are now available in all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide. There are 6 consultant-led multidisciplinary hub sites and 13 spoke sites, staffed by Perinatal Mental Health Midwives. Overall funding for this programme to-date is €3.5m.

A key element of the Model of Care is the Mother and Baby Unit, and progressing the Unit is a priority for me, the Department of Health and the HSE. The HSE is currently preparing a feasibility study on the building of a Unit at the Elm Park site at St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin. I expect this to be finalised in the near future. This would include all relevant estimated costs and timescales for the Unit.

I can also advise that a Steering Group has been established to refresh the Model of Care, and the Department of Health is currently considering issues raised separately in the National Women’s Council (NWC) report on Perinatal Mental Services. The Department will work closely with the HSE to strengthen the Model of Care where required, and to address gaps highlighted by the report.

As the estimated cost of providing a Mother and Baby Unit would be a matter for the HSE, I have asked the Executive to reply direct to the Deputy on this matter.