Written answer
Child Protection
The Department supports evidence-informed breastfeeding, but was not involved in the conference, provided no funding, and referred queries to the HSE and organiser.
3566. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if officials from her Department or the HSE have engaged with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the inclusion of a conference session entitled “Lactation Support for Gender-Diverse Families”; whether an assessment has been undertaken of the clinical evidence and child welfare considerations associated with the subject matter of that session; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61775/26]
Comment on this
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority for the Department of Health. National Health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, emphasises the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland. The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland.
The Department recognises the importance of ensuring that the welfare, nutritional needs and best interests of infants remain central to all infant-feeding advice and support.
The Department of Health is not involved in organising the conference or determining its programme. As such, it would not be appropriate for the Department to comment on the content of an individual presentation. Questions regarding the programme, the evidence underpinning a session, or the professional standards applying to it would be more appropriately addressed by ALCI as the conference organiser.
Your correspondence has also been copied to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, which may consider any matters falling within its remit.
The Department of Health has not provided funding for this conference or for the promotion of the practice referenced in your correspondence.
The Department remains committed to the development of evidence-informed breastfeeding policy and is currently preparing a new National Breastfeeding Strategy.
I trust this clarifies the Department’s position.
I have referred your questions to the Health Service Executive , who will respond directly in due course.