782. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to expand the provision for newborns and their parents of a Baby Bundle; to confirm if a cost review has been carried out; and if there are plans to roll-out an expanded version of the scheme nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45272/26]

A pilot Little Baby Bundle scheme was undertaken in 2023 and an independent evaluation of the pilot was completed.

The Little Baby Bundle has been designed to be a gift from the State for new parents, welcoming a new arrival to their family, and as an acknowledgement by the State of this very significant and special moment for parents. The Bundle included key items to support parents after the birth of their baby, to support parent-infant bonding, and to promote parent and infant health and wellbeing. The importance of these supports to disadvantaged families in particular was acknowledged in the evaluation and was an important aspect behind the launch of the pilot. The programmes in Scotland & Finland were identified as examples from which the pilot was inspired.

Through the pilot, 500 Bundles were provided for participating parents. 350 Bundles were available for women receiving prenatal care at our pilot site at the Rotunda Hospital Dublin, and 150 for University Hospital Waterford. Parents gave feedback on the experience which influenced development of the Bundle for wider roll-out proposals. The pilot was very well received by participating families and health and social care providers. The Baby Bundle contents have been updated in response to feedback from families and professionals participating in the pilot.

An additional smaller pilot will shortly get underway in the north east inner city area of Dublin. This limited pilot will test methods of staying in touch with young families in the year after they receive a baby bundle for their new baby.