Written answers
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Department of Health
Health Services
Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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786. To ask the Minister for Health her views on whether there are adequate prenatal physiotherapy services available within the health system; if she will commit to increasing funding and support in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27646/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the current provision of antenatal physiotherapy services is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the question of availability, as soon as possible.
The current model of shared maternity care between GPs and maternity units, including antenatal care, is currently under review. This comprehensive review of the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme is an action of the National Maternity Strategy, and will inform longer term developments in the delivery of antenatal and postnatal care.
The provision of physiotherapy services for women is a key consideration in the development of community maternity services, including the development of Postnatal Hubs, to which significant investment is being directed.
The National Maternity Experience Survey has shown us that improving postnatal care is a priority for women. That is why significant investment has been directed into piloting and establishing a national network of Postnatal Hubs. Five Hubs have been established, with four more currently in development. Investment of €2 million new development funding in 2025 through the National Maternity Strategy is providing for the development of four further Hubs, bringing the national network to 13.
These Hubs provide essential care for women in the community in the weeks after birth, including physiotherapy supports.
Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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787. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the regulation of lactation consultancy in Ireland; if she is satisfied that there is adequate training for these services; her views on whether there are lactation consultants currently practicing that are not adequately trained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27647/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 is in its penultimate year. A total of €28 million in new development funding has been invested through the Strategy as part of over €80 million total new development funding invested across maternity and gynaecology services since the start of the Strategy. Through the Strategy, over 530 additional Whole Time Equivalent staff have been funded into our maternity services, including lactation consultants to ensure that each maternity service has these specialists. A key action of the Strategy is improved support for breastfeeding both within the hospital and the community, and the implementation of the Breastfeeding Action Plan.
The application and eligibility criteria for the recruitment of infant-feeding lactation midwives and nurses to the HSE include the following:
- Candidates are required to be registered in the General, Midwives and/or Children’s Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or entitled to be so registered;
- Candidates must have at least 5 years post registration experience of which 2 must be in the speciality or related area of Infant feeding/lactation; and
- Must demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in the specialist area of infant feeding/lactation as relevant to the role.
- Hold a recognised certified qualification in breastfeeding/lactation.
With regard to the recruitment of infant-feeding lactation midwives/nurses posts, the HSE operates under recruitment licence from the CPSA and all recruitment is required to meet CPSA standards. While the HSE does not have central oversight of local recruitment, all HSE Human Resources departments are required to work within the standards of the code. This includes application of agreed eligibility and qualification criteria.
Lactation specialist posts in Children’s Health Ireland are open to the following candidates:
- Registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible to be so registered, with 5 years post registration relevant nursing experience and a level 8 or higher related to infant feeding/Lactation or a post registration programme of study in children’s nursing or neonatal intensive care nursing.
- CORU registered HSCP for relevant profession with a minimum of 3 years’ experience or be working at Senior grade and a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the area of Paediatrics which must include infant feeding/lactation experience.
- International board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) qualification is essential for all applicants.
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