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Health Promotion Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Questions (594)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

594. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the implementation plan to support the actions and initiatives in Healthy Ireland – A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 – 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42394/13]

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Written answers

Since the publication of Healthy Ireland - a framework for improved health & wellbeing earlier this year, the focus of my Department has been on underpinning the structures on which the future work of Healthy Ireland can be progressed and establishing clear structures and accountability mechanisms for implementation. The implementation of Healthy Ireland is being overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. A key feature of the development of Healthy Ireland is the engagement and collaboration across Government Departments and other public sector bodies. Such collaboration continues to be a significant feature of the implementation strategy. Critical to this success is an active, central Government policy driven approach where Healthy Ireland’s actions are systematically embedded into the policies and programmes of relevant Government Departments, local authorities and statutory agencies. It is equally important that there is active engagement at local level, empowering and supporting people to be as healthy as they can be for as long as possible.

The development of an implementation plan requires cross-departmental input and progress is currently being focused on a number of key actions including:

- the establishment of a Health and Wellbeing Directorate in the HSE,

- the establishment of a Health & Wellbeing Programme Office in my Department,

- the development of a National Plan for Physical Activity,

- an awareness campaign on tackling the problem of childhood obesity,

- the development of an implementation plan for positive ageing,

- the development of branding guidelines,

- the development of an outcomes framework, and

- the development of a research and data plan.

These processes are underway.

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