To ask the Minister of Health whether funding for the perinatal mental health services operational in all Health and Social Care Trusts is ring-fenced for future years.

My Department allocated funding in 2021 for the development of Perinatal Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland, which included establishing Community Perinatal Mental Health Teams in each Trust.

The project has two phases. Phase One prioritised a core staffing model for a Community Team, with phase two providing the enhanced service provision. Funding came from the Department at various stages throughout the year. Phase one of the project is now complete and recurrent funding has been provided to all Trusts at a total cost of £4,186,280.

A number of workshops have been held to look at lessons learned from the Phase 1 implementation and what staffing and additional funding is required for Phase 2.