Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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426. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding supports available for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62347/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Delivering safe, woman-centred, nationally-consistent maternity services continues to be a priority of this Government.

The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme (MICS) provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. This service is provided by a family doctor (GP) of the woman’s choice and a maternity unit or hospital. Women are entitled to this service even if they do not have a medical card.

The GP provides an initial examination, if possible before 12 weeks, and a further 5 examinations during the pregnancy, which are alternated with visits to the maternity unit or hospital. In the case of a significant illness, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, women may have up to 5 additional visits to the GP. After the birth, the GP will examine the baby at 2 weeks and both mother and baby at 6 weeks. The Scheme, including the schedule of visit, is currently under review as an action of the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026.

The Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025 and the National Maternity Strategy call for a coordinated approach to support women and new babies postnatally in the community. The National Maternity Experience Survey has shown that improving postnatal care in the community is a priority for women. That is why, since 2022 significant investment have been directed into the establishment of a national network of Postnatal Hubs that provide essential care for women in the community in the weeks after birth. A total of five Postnatal Hubs were open by the end of 2023 in Cork, Kerry, Portiuncula, Sligo and Carlow-Kilkenny. €0.4 million was allocated in 2024 to establish four more Postnatal Hubs, with a full year cost of €1.9 million in 2025. An additional €2.0 million has been invested in new development funding through the National Maternity Strategy in 2025, which is initiating four further Postnatal Hubs, bringing the national network to 13.

Postnatal hubs provide a wide-range of services to women, including:

• Core midwifery care and advice
• Wound management
• Lactation supports
• Parent education
• Physiotherapy
• Perinatal mental health supports
• Birth reflection; and
• Smoking cessation.