Written answers
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Department of Health
Health Services
Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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162. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the four additional postnatal hubs, which would bring the national network to 13; the timeline for completion and operation of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33065/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Postnatal Hubs are intended to create a model of support in the community for mothers, babies and families in the weeks after birth. The National Maternity Experience Survey, first conducted in 2020, has shown that improving postnatal care in the community is a priority for women. That is why, since 2022 significant investment has been directed into the establishment of a national network of Postnatal Hubs.
A total of five pilot Postnatal Hubs were established in Cork, Kerry, Portiuncula, Sligo and Carlow-Kilkenny. €0.4 million was allocated in 2024 (with a full year cost of €1.9 million) to establish four more Postnatal Hubs. These Hubs are currently under development in the Dublin maternity hospitals and at Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda. New development funding of €2.0 million through the National Maternity Strategy in 2025 will initiate four further Postnatal Hubs, bringing the national network to 13. An Expression of Interest process has recently been conducted within the HSE for this third phase, and the location of the remaining 4 sites will be announced once letters of approval have been issued.
Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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163. To ask the Minister for Health if any research has been conducted to assess the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse following birth in Ireland; the steps being taken to ensure that there is a comprehensive and coordinated system of postnatal care for this condition, both in the community and acute settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33066/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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164. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that supports provided to a child born prematurely with developmental needs in an Irish neonatal intensive care unit are not also available to children born prematurely with developmental needs born in a neonatal intensive care unit in Spain upon their return to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33070/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
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