Sorca Clarke
Question:1140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the new Breastfeeding Strategy; and the timeline for publication. [10209/26]
View answerTuesday, 10 February 2026
Questions (1140)
Written answers
In 2025, the Department of Health formed a breastfeeding steering group to research and design the development of a new whole of government breastfeeding strategy. While there has been a significant amount of implementation of the actions under the HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland 2016-2021 Action Plan, further implementation of these actions is required under the development of a new whole of government breastfeeding strategy.
Over the last few months, the Department of Health has engaged with health, research, and academic colleagues, and across government to inform how the new strategy will be designed.
The Department has engaged an independent strategy company to oversee the consultation process to assist the development of a new national breastfeeding strategy. In November 2025, the Department hosted a large multistakeholder event which included members from academic, advocacy and interdepartmental groups, alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland. Specific focus groups with marginalised communities were convened in January 2026 and a further consultation workshop is being progressed. The consultation process is expected to take approximately 8 months. The outcomes of this consultation will inform the development of a national breastfeeding strategy.
The Department intends to build on the positive impact of the HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland plan has delivered up to 2025, through the development of this new whole of government Breastfeeding strategy and remains committed to increasing breastfeeding supports to all mothers and families in Ireland. A new national Breastfeeding Strategy is expected to be published later this year.