Vol. 374 No. 7
asked the Minister for Health who will carry out the functions previously undertaken by the Health Education Bureau; in view of the excellent work done by the bureau and the need for public health education, if he will reconsider the decision to abolish the bureau; if the most effective use will be made of health expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
21.
asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the alternative arrangements he has made for a programme of preventative health care given his decision to abolish the Health Education Bureau; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
51.
asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement in relation to his decision to abolish the Health Education Bureau; the way in which the bureau's functions will be carried out by his Department; and the funding which will be made available for this.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 21 and 51 together.
I am glad to have this opportunity to make a statement about my decision to integrate the Health Education Bureau in the Department of Health.
First of all, I would like to explain that I see health education as but one element in a broader policy of health promotion. I am sure Deputies will be familiar with the concept of health promotion. It requires that we not only concentrate on the health education of individuals but that we also develop health promotion policies in those social and economic sectors which influence the quality of our health. In order to initiate the actions required to bring about these broad changes, it is obviously necessary that I and my Department should take the lead role. For that reason I have decided to establish a health promotion unit within the Department and to merge in it the present functions of the Health Education Bureau.
I shall also be appointing shortly an advisory council on Health Promotion which will include persons selected from the major social and economic areas which influence the quality of our health. I might mention that the appointment of this council is based on a recommendation which the Health Education Bureau made earlier this year in their report, Promoting Health Through Public Policy.
The new unit within the Department will have responsibility for developing health education campaigns. They will also provide the secretariat for the council and will have the immediate responsibility for taking action on the council's recommendations. The implementation of the council's views will have the further support of a special Cabinet subcommittee of which I shall be chairman as Minister for Health. Their role will be to secure the necessary support and co-ordination of the sectors concerned.
As far as funding is concerned, I intend at least to maintain this year's level of expenditure on health education. In looking at the published Estimates for my Department for next year, and particularly at the proposed breakdown of expenditure, Deputies should bear in mind that the payment of the staff who will be employed in the new Health Promotion Unit is provided for in the general subhead covering the salaries and wages of the personnel of my Department. Furthermore, in giving health boards their allocations, I shall be asking them to make allowance for the increasing emphasis on health promotion and for the fact that health boards themselves will have a role in this area.
In view of the important role played by the Health Education Bureau and the many representations made by many bodies throughout the country, will the Minister reconsider his decision?
As I have already pointed out, it is because of our concern and public awareness of the need for more emphasis on health promotion and a more positive policy on health promotion, that we are integrating the functions of the Health Education Bureau into the Department of Health. I am satisfied we will provide a health education service which will support the health promotion policies of the new health promotion unit.
Would the Minister not agree that there has been friction between his Department and the Health Education Bureau on a number of issues? Has that been one of the major factors in the decision to abolish that bureau? Was that taken into consideration?
I am not aware of any friction between my Department and there is certainly none between myself and the Health Education Bureau. I am unaware of any friction in the past between the Health Education Bureau and the Department.
