3183. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the funding which will be provided towards the women’s health action plan in respect of breastfeeding, particularly action 7k and 8F; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55166/26]

I thank the Deputy for his question. Encouraging and supporting mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for my department and for the HSE.

Improved supports for breastfeeding have been included in all of the Women's Health Action Plans since the first plan was published in 2022. This includes initiatives such as:

• The provision of an additional 24 Lactation Consultants to support new mothers in both maternity and primary care settings to breastfeed their infants via funding provided under the first Women's Health Action Plan 2022-2023.

• Support for the development and publication of an Irish College of General Practitioners Quick Reference Guide on Breastfeeding; an evidence-based guide for GPs to promote breastfeeding and improve support in general practice for women considering breastfeeding.

• Investment in 2025, including investment through the Women's Health Action Plan 2024-2025, brought the national network of Postnatal Hubs to a total of 13. The hubs support women for up to 14 days post-birth by addressing many of the gaps identified by women in postnatal care including education, breastfeeding, physiotherapy, emotional, and physical supports.

Along with the Women's Health Action Plans, the Healthy Ireland Framework, Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy all emphasise the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

The Government is committed to increasing resources and breastfeeding supports for new mothers in Ireland and this is evidenced by the following:

• There has been a four-fold increase in Specialist Lactation Consultant whole time posts since 2017 and there are over two hundred community breastfeeding support groups in operation.

• In 2025 and 2026, the Government has provided additional funding for breastfeeding pumps for critically unwell and premature infants of €300k.

• My department completed a breastfeeding consultation process with independent consultancy firm MCCP. The findings from these stakeholder consultations will assist the development of the new breastfeeding strategy, which will be published by the end of the year.

The Women's Health Action Plan 2026-2027 commits to continuing to implement our existing strategies that support women at all life stages; including the Breastfeeding Strategy once developed, along with a breastfeeding awareness campaign to increase knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding, to both mothers and their infants, across society.