Cork minister announces additional funding to boost breastfeeding rates

Additional funding has been announced to encourage ongoing efforts to boost breastfeeding rates in Cork and across the country.

Cork North Central TD Colm Burke, the minister for public health, wellbeing and the national drug strategy, announced the additional funding amounting to €900,000 for breastfeeding supports in 2025.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that encouraging more mothers to breastfeed is a priority for both the Department of Health and the HSE, with some of the additional funding going towards the recruitment of an additional five lactation consultants in areas where breastfeeding rates are lower than average or in disadvantaged groups.

These areas will be identified from the HSE Breastfeeding Strategy Plan desktop review, which was published during National Breastfeeding week in October.

Additionally, €340,000 of the funds will be used to provide breast pumps for mothers of critically ill and pre-term infants, enabling them to provide breastmilk for their babies while they are in hospital for extended periods and when they are discharged home.

Health benefits

“I’m delighted to announce this funding which will support the ongoing efforts to boost Ireland’s breastfeeding rates, leading to long-term health benefits,” said Mr Burke.

“As well as being a bonding experience for mother and baby, importantly, breastfeeding offers babies excellent protection from infection and promotes healthy growth and development.

“We know that even small amounts of breast milk, particularly in the first few days, is beneficial and helps to boost babies’ immune systems — it can also help post-partum recovery.”

Mr Burke also approved the establishment of a steering group to research and design a new “whole of government” breastfeeding policy.

This policy development will be informed by a new infant feeding survey that was allocated funding for 2025.

The survey will gather data on infant feeding from birth to one year, which can inform how supports for new mothers feeding their infants throughout the first year can be provided.