Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
785. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times the working group convened to consider the outputs from the stakeholder forum on the built environment and related recommendations has met; when the group will report on the recommendations that were made and actions to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19012/19]
View answerConnect, Collaborate, Create; Co-Designing Healthier Communities, A Healthy Ireland Stakeholder Forum on the Built Environment, was held on November 21st 2018, in the National Indoor Arena. The event was organised by the cross-Governmental Implementation Groups overseeing the National Physical Activity Plan and the Obesity Policy and Action Plan.
The Forum brought together those who have a responsibility for planning and developing public spaces with those who have expertise regarding the impacts of the built and natural environments on all aspects of health and wellbeing, including sport and physical activity, obesity and mental health, with the objective of examining how our physical environment can impact on our collective health.
The format for this event consisted of a number of talks and presentations from many key stakeholders, followed by a workshop and discussion. Written feedback was gathered from all of the groups participating in the workshop and has now been collated and analysed, with core points identified.
A meeting was held on 13th March, 2019, with representation from the Departments of Health, Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Housing, Planning and Local Government, to consider the points raised and to identify possible next steps in the process.
The core points will be submitted to the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group and National Physical Activity Policy Implementation Group for their consideration of the next steps, which may include the establishment of a sub-committee and/or working group.
