<p>
	A total of three babies were born to mothers in prison custody in 2016 - equalling the highest annual number in recent years.</p>
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	The trend of last year has continued with one baby being born to a mother in custody so far in 2017.</p>
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	According to figures provided by T&aacute;naiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, the three births last year follow no births to mothers in custody in 2015 with three in 2014 and two in 2013.</p>
<p>
	In figures provided to Clare Daly TD in a written D&aacute;il reply, Mrs Fitzgerald confirmed 14 babies have been born to mothers in custody between 2010 and the first quarter of this year.</p>
<p>
	In her reply, the minister said: &quot;I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the level of maternity care provided to women in custody, including ante-natal care, is comparable to that available to women in the community. It is provided on a shared care arrangement between the maternity hospital to which the patient is referred, and the healthcare team in the D&oacute;chas Centre.&quot;</p>
<p>
	The Irish Prison Service has in place a mother and baby unit in the D&oacute;chas Centre.</p>
<p>
	&quot;Provision is made in the D&oacute;chas Centre to facilitate new mothers keeping their infants with them so as not to disrupt early bonding,&quot; said Mrs Fitzgerald.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
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	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 13th April 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/three-babies-born-to-mothers-in-prison-in-2016-35618931.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/three-babies-born-to-mothers-in-prison-in-2016-35618931.html</a></p>
