Stephen Donnelly announces €1.58 million funding for HSE lactation consultants
Ireland has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world.
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has announced this week that €1.58 million has been allocated for additional HSE lactation consultants.
Ireland has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world and it's hoped that the additional funding will help give women the support needed to increase these figures.
In a statement, the minister explained: "This funding will provide for lactation consultants across hospital and community settings to ensure timely skilled assistance for mothers who wish to breastfeed."
The additional funding will also fund training in lactation services for existing frontline staff.
?I'm delighted to allocate funding of €1.58m for the provision of more consultants to provide support for breastfeeding in our maternity units. #healthcare #slaintecare pic.twitter.com/P28wgI97y6
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) May 11, 2021
This commitment will means that the whole country will be covered in accordance with the National Breastfeeding Action Plan targets, with an additional 24 consultants in place across Ireland.
Minister Donnelly added: "Today’s announcement also supports the delivery of the National Maternity Strategy – Creating a Better Future Together, which represents a significant development in the delivery maternity care, setting out high quality, integrated, team-based services that are safe, woman centred and that increase the choice of experiences to women across the country."
