asked the Minister for Health if, in order to promote the national well-being, he will undertake, in conjunction with the Health Education Bureau and the cycling associations, a publicity campaign to encourage cycling.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Health Campaigns .
3.
asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the positive health advantages of cycling, he will, in conjunction with the Minister for Education, initiate a grant-aided campaign to promote youthful participation in this form of activity.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. The Health Education Bureau is the sole sponsor of this year's Rás Tailteann, which will be known as "The Health Race". In association with this event, the bureau will organise stage-end activities which will be aimed at promoting cycling as a healthy form of exercise and encouraging people to engage in other activities which will help to improve and maintain their fitness.
The bureau have also sponsored the leaflets and information provided in connection with "National Bike Day", which was held on 21 May last. A general fitness campaign to be launched by the bureau at the end of this month will also draw attention to the benefits to be derived from various forms of activity, including cycling.
: Would the Minister agree that cycling is a healthy and worth-while exercise and would he make grants available to schools to purchase bicycles and to appoint qualified persons to instruct children in their use?
: I would certainly like to encourage cycling as a form of exercise, indeed as a mode of transport, but I am not sure I could contemplate making grants for the purchase of bicycles.
: Would the Minister not consider it for the future?
: I will consider any suggestion the Deputy puts forward because I know his interest in this area and his enthusiasm for this form of activity and, on that ground, I will consider his suggestion.
: Did I gather that the Minister is making grants available to the NACA and the CRE?
: No. Our sole financial support at the moment is confined to sponsoring the Rás Tailteann.
: Would the Minister show some good example by doing some cycling himself?
: Would the Minister agree that cycling is as healthy a sport as riding?
: Certainly. By far the greater number of journeys I made to school as a boy were made by bicycle.
: Jolly good show.
5.
asked the Minister for Health the principal campaigns undertaken by the Health Education Bureau during the past year; if any assessment of the effectiveness of these campaigns has been undertaken; and if he is satisfied that the bureau have sufficient funds at their disposal to effectively carry out their duties.
: The principal campaigns undertaken by the Health Education Bureau since April, 1977 are as follows: Polio Vaccination; Be Active, Be Alive; Hygiene; Disposal of Old Medicines; and Monitoring and Control of Blood Pressure. In addition, the bureau have supported Dental Health and Mental Health weeks.
It is the policy of the bureau to evaluate the effectiveness of their campaigns, wherever possible. In the case of the campaigns which I have mentioned, it was possible to carry out an assessment of the "Polio Vaccination" campaign. Arrangements have also been made to assess the results of the "Disposal of Old Medicines" campaign and these are now being analysed. The bureau are satisfied that they will be able satisfactorily to assess most of their future campaigns, as they have now recruited the necessary specialist staff and developed suitable procedures. I am satisfied that the bureau's budget for the current year will enable them effectively to carry out their functions.