Maternal Mental Health Supports: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-11
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Anne Rabbitte (FF), Nominated by the Taoiseach

I thank the Minister of State for being here this afternoon and for her detailed response and in-depth presentation to us. It was not a whistle-stop tour she has given us, but a really good analysis of where maternity services are at in Ireland. I acknowledge the work of Senator Cosgrove and of the Cross-Party Group of Senators Noonan, Harmon and Stephenson in bringing this motion forward and giving us the opportunity to put the spotlight on the need to have a conversation around maternity mental health supports and services.
I also acknowledge the work the Minister of State has achieved concerning capital funding. It is fantastic. It is great to see that the work is being achieved. I acknowledge the work she has done with St. Vincent’s University Hospital to get to that stage. That agreement is really welcome, as is the fact we will now have one centre of excellence for mothers and babies in the country. Sandra Broderick is not a woman to be found wanting. It is great to think we have someone looking out for the west as well. Senator Maria Byrne and I, and I have no doubt others from the west, are quite happy to be sitting here knowing both sides are being recognised.
I welcome the opportunity to contribute and express my support for the motion and to acknowledge the importance of the issue being raised round postnatal care for women. There is no doubt the postnatal period can be a challenging time for many women, physically, emotionally and mentally. There is recovery from childbirth and adjusting to parenthood. The pressures that can arise during this period are very real and it is right that the State recognises its responsibility to support mothers during this time. It is not just mums, but the family as a whole that needs nurturing at that time.
I also acknowledge the work of the campaigner, Ms Gormley, because we always need an advocate to drive things forward. It is important to acknowledge that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-11/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:37+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-11