Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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381. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the inpatient mental health support mother and baby unit, as per the model of care for specialist perinatal mental health services; the estimated cost of providing this unit; if a dedicated funding allocation for its development has been agreed; if not, when she expects to announce this allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18167/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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382. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the inpatient mental health support mother and baby unit was not included in the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025, having been included in the Women’s Health Action Plan Action Plan 2022-23; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18168/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Improving the outcomes and experiences of women in relation to perinatal mental health is a priority for this government.

The first Women's Health Action Plan 2022-23 (www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/218275/61c989ed-d115-48a4-94ea-a915bfbf638f.pdf#page=null) was published in March 2022. The Action Plan identified key actions to improve health outcomes and experiences for women in Ireland. It provided the foundation to address women’s health as a whole and helped to ensure that women’s health is viewed beyond reproductive health in order to make a real difference to women’s lives.

The Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women's Health (www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/290734/0397244b-af0b-4dda-9b84-0da40897c723.pdf#page=null) was published in April 2024. This Action Plan represents the next phase in women's health. It continues to embed and build on the significant work completed under the first Action Plan and can be seen as an evolution of that plan. These plans should, therefore, be read together.

We have committed to supporting the mental health of women during and after pregnancy.

Given the documented adverse effects on separating mothers from their babies, for the small number of women who require inpatient treatment, the provision of a mother and baby unit (MBU) is recommended in the Model of Care for Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services in Ireland.

The Model of Care identifies it as critical to the overall success of the specialist perinatal mental health services that there is access to a national tertiary inpatient mental health service in the form of a Mother and Baby Unit, and it is included in the Programme for Government as a commitment.

Progressing the MBU is a priority for Minister Butler, and the HSE are currently advancing the necessary feasibility studies to determine the location of the Unit. Work will also be undertaken this year to identify and progress an interim Mother and Baby Unit solution.