Sunbed Usage

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2013

Thursday, 9 May 2013

Questions (13)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

13. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she or her Department have engaged directly with the Department of Health to ensure that legislation currently being drafted on the issue of sunbed use and access adequately addresses the serious problem of under-18 use of these machines with all the potential adverse effects on children’s health and their well-being in later life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21770/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The prime responsibility for policy in relation to the legislation referred to by the Deputy lies with the Department of Health. My Department has been assured by the Department of Health that, in view of the potential adverse health effects on children's health and well being in later life resulting from sunbed use, the forthcoming sunbeds legislation to be introduced by the Minister for Health proposes to prohibit the use of sunbeds by persons under the age of 18 in commercial sunbed premises. My Department will examine the draft legislation prior to submission to Government and I look forward to supporting my colleague, the Minister for Health, in its advancement.