Hundreds of expectant parents will receive a new ‘baby bundle’ in the coming days as part of a pilot announced by Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman.
The scheme - a first of its kind in Ireland - will see a ‘Little Baby Bundle’ filled with a range of useful items, including play items to encourage early communication and bonding, household items for help with safe bathing and safe sleep, as well as a range of other items to support new parents after the birth. This welcome gift, from the State for a new arrival, to a family acknowledges this very significant and special moment for parents.
300 families from the Rotunda Hospital and 150 families attending Waterford University Hospital were invited to take part in the pilot. The Baby Bundle will be delivered to the homes of participating parents at a time of their choosing. Parents participating in the pilot initiative will subsequently be asked to share their views and experiences of the Baby Bundle and its contents, which will inform the development of proposals for wider national rollout.

Welcoming rollout of the pilot, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said:

“I’m delighted to see the new Baby Bundles arrive at the doors of new parents. We have seen how well this scheme works in other jurisdictions, and through this pilot, we can get a real sense from parents of how well the scheme works. Our hope is that the bundles will be a welcome gift from the State for the new arrivals, full of the kind of practical items that parents need in those first few weeks and months”.

Source:
Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth: media@equality.gov.ie

Comments