A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan, 2016 – 2025, contains 60 actions which will be implemented, monitored and evaluated over the lifetime of the policy.
The Department of Health is currently engaging with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the development of the HSE service plan. Key elements include the development of prevention and treatment services and the implementation of the HSE’s ‘Healthy Eating, Active Living’ (HEAL) programme which will include investing in evidence based community projects and work.
The HSE provide funding to community and non-profit groups for projects/programmes of work that address obesity prevention for example; Programmes and activities that promote participation in health enhancing physical activity - which include Parkrun, Community Games and the network of Local Sports Partnerships; Capacity building and support for the provision of community based breastfeeding support for mothers which includes La Leche League, CUIDIU, Friends of Breastfeeding; Support for the delivery of community based cooking programmes such as Healthy Food Made Easy/Cook-It which includes a number of Local Area Partnership Companies and support for National non-profit organisations to deliver health promotion programmes that address lifestyle and behaviour changes in communities, schools and workplaces.
2017 funding arrangements for similar projects are currently under review.