Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2021
173. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on actions arising from Action 2.1 of A Healthy Weight for Ireland the Obesity Policy and Action Plan since the stakeholder forum was held on 21 November 2018; the steps that are being taken by the physical activity group and the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group to progress this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62017/21]
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 Forum was managed by the Departments of Health, Transport Tourism and Sport (DTTAS, now DTCAGSM) and Housing Planning and Local Government (now DHLGH) and Sport Ireland.
Both the National Physical Activity Plan Implementation Group (NPAP IG) and the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) were represented at the Forum, which brought together those with responsibility for planning and developing public spaces with those who have expertise regarding the impacts of the built and natural environments on health and wellbeing, sport and physical activity, obesity and mental health, with the objective of examining how our physical environment can impact on health and wellbeing.
Progress has been made in a variety of different areas since the Forum was held, and it is envisaged that this progress will continue. These developments include:
- A number of meetings, involving representatives of DHealth, DTTAS and DHPLG were held, following the Forum in 2019, to discuss the outcomes and the best ways of progressing these.
- The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, originally published in 2013, was updated in 2019, accompanied by additional advice and a new website, www.dmurs.ie
- Implementation of the objectives of the NPF is supported by a €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development fund (URDF) in the period to 2027. There were 87 successful applications supported in Round 1 of the Fund.
- An inter-Departmental Advisory Group, Town Centre First, was established by DHLGH in late 2020; the NPAP Implementation Group is represented by the Department of Health co-Chair.
- The Department of Rural and Community Development approved funding of €10.2 million for 153 projects under the 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme towards the development of trails, walkways, cycleways, greenways, blueways and mountain access routes.
- Sport Ireland supported the development of Blueways (recreation on or near water) in RoI and NI, through the Blueway Partnership in 2019
- Sport Ireland carried out 247 walking and cycling trail assessments and inspections in 2019, and also delivered 7 training courses aimed at supporting the development of walking and cycling infrastructure countrywide;
- Sport Ireland published a number of guidelines in 2019, including the Great Outdoors – An Accessibility Guideline for Outdoor Areas in collaboration with the Irish Wheelchair Association and CARA, and the revised and updated Criteria for Walking Trail Development in Ireland in 2019.
- Sport Ireland, co-funded by Healthy Ireland, are progressing the development of a National Amenities Database, with will allow people to identify outdoor recreational amenities in their areas. The Trails Database is currently accessible, with full launch planned for 2023.
- In round three of the Healthy Ireland Fund a theme, ‘Spaces and Places for Health and Wellbeing’ was included for Local Community Development Committees of Local Authorities to put forward activities. Activities including the implementation of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland’s ‘Town and Village Toolkit’ were supported by the fund under this theme.
- As part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme, a Community Enhancement Fund of €4.75m was made available for projects to be carried out in the 19 Communities. Some of the funded projects include improvements to make walkways and trails more accessible, outdoor exercise equipment and play areas for children.
Further progress in this area will be pursued in line with the commitments in the Programme for Government, and through the reviews of the National Physical Activity Plan and the Obesity Policy and Action Plan.
Implementation of the current Physical Activity Plan was to be reviewed in 2020; however, this was delayed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The policy has been extended to end 2022. Work has now begun on the review, with a number of stakeholder consultations held in recent weeks. The findings from these meetings and from the external review will inform the future direction of the next iteration of the NPAP. The Review of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan will proceed upon the receipt of an evaluation of the OPAP being carried out by the Centre for Health and Diet Research, UCC, which is expected in the coming weeks.
