Ruairí Quinn
Question:77 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the budget and staffing levels in the health promotion unit in his Department; and the main activities proposed for that unit for 1998. [5797/98]
Written Answers. - Health Promotion Unit.
The health promotion unit of my Department has a budget of approximately £3 million for 1998 and has a current staff complement of 16. The unit proposes to continue its focus in 1998 on achieving the goals and targets as set out in the Health Promotion Strategy. Priority will continue to be given to tackling the lifestyle issues which contribute to the unacceptably high levels of premature illness and death from both cancer and cardiovascular disease in Ireland. To this end a new multi-media anti-smoking public information campaign will be launched to complement the many existing school based initiatives. The focus on nutrition will continue through the national healthy eating campaign and there will be a new alcohol awareness information campaign.
The unit's activities in the areas of drug misuse and AIDS will be maintained.