Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
425. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health for an update on the establishment of Ireland’s first inpatient Mother and Baby Mental Health Unit at St. Vincent’s University Hospital; the expected timeframe for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52724/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra426. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department plans to ensure equitable access to specialist perinatal mental health services for women in larger towns such as Skerries and Balbriggan; and if outreach or satellite services are being considered. [52725/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra427. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels of specialist perinatal mental health teams in Dublin maternity hospitals; if additional funding will be allocated to expand these services in line with population growth and demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52726/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the way in which perinatal mental health services are being integrated with primary care, public health nursing, and community mental health teams to ensure continuity of care for mothers before and after birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52727/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered extending postnatal mental health follow-up beyond the current six-week period, in line with recommendations from the MAMMI study and HIQA’s National Maternity Experience Survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52728/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 425 to 429, inclusive, together.
The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (SPMHS) is now available in all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide, SPMHS provides support to pregnant women and women with a baby up to one year old, with an existing or new mental health problem. Funding to date of €3.6 million has resulted in 6 consultant led multidisciplinary teams are in place across major maternity hospitals (Coombe, NMH, Rotunda, Galway, Cork, Limerick), with 13 spoke sites staffed by perinatal mental health midwife posts.
A key priority in the Model of Care is to develop a Perinatal Mother and Baby Unit. Work is ongoing by the HSE to progress the development of a Perinatal Mother and Baby Unit (PMBU) for Ireland, an inpatient mental health service with relevant maternity support to allow women to stay with their babies during their mental health treatment. A feasibility study on the PMBU at St Vincent’s Hospital is currently under consideration by the HSE. My Department continues to support the HSE as it aims to put in place a PMBU as soon as possible.
With reference to the additional specific information requested as this is an operational issue, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
