Skip to main content
Normal View

Health Promotion

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (1140, 1145, 1265)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32384/20]

View answer

Neale Richmond

Question:

1145. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to a health campaign explaining steps persons can take to build their immune system against disease, for example, stopping smoking among other factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32406/20]

View answer

Steven Matthews

Question:

1265. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered funding a national ad campaign that would encourage positive health choices such as promoting exercise and quitting smoking specifically in view of the Covid-19 pandemic to remind persons of the importance to maintaining a healthy immune system [32833/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1140, 1145 and 1265 together.

Healthy Ireland is our national action plan to help people live healthier and longer lives, prevent illness and reduce health inequalities. Healthy Ireland has contributed to my Department’s work on the Covid 19 pandemic, via representation on the NPHET and Behavioural and Vulnerable Groups subgroups and via public information campaigns.

A National Healthy Ireland Communications and Citizen Engagement campaign has been running since 2018. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the campaign sought to raise public awareness of gov.ie/HealthyIreland as the place to go for trusted sources of information and supports, together in one place, to help people get started on making healthy changes under three key themes – healthy eating, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the focus of the campaign has been on supporting the public through the In This Together campaign.

This campaign was launched in April with the aim of helping everyone in Ireland to stay connected, stay active, and look after their mental wellbeing throughout the Covid-19 emergency. The campaign signposted useful advice to help people of every age group to cope with the ongoing restrictions, whether they are looking after children, dealing with self-isolation, preparing for exams, or coping with cabin fever.

Visitors to the campaign’s website at https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/ were provided with regular videos, ideas and activities for people of all ages, over social media, through partners in the media and promoted by the Community Call Forums which have been set up across Ireland.

The resources provided included:

- advice on parenting, entertaining children at home and creating a daily routine;

- cooking and advice on healthy diets;

- links and advice on physical activity and exercise;

- advice on mindfulness and looking after your mental wellbeing;

- how to support your vulnerable neighbours and family members.

In keeping with the Government’s recent Resilience and Recovery Plan, a refreshed Government Wellbeing and Resilience campaign was launched on the 29th October, using the theme of "Keep Well".

This campaign focuses on promoting resilience as well as health, wellbeing and positive mental health, with five key themes:

- Keeping active

- Staying connected

- Switching off and being creative

- Eating well

- Minding your mood

This campaign is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It will provide guidelines, information, and tips on how we can make a plan to do things that are good for us everyday. The campaign website will be hosted on gov.ie/healthyireland and will signpost to information about local resources and initiatives that will be available through the Local Authorities.

The campaign also includes an allocation of funding from Sláintecare to support a number of initiatives through the Healthy Ireland Fund that will be rolled out over the coming months.

Top
Share