Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1261. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence funding to ensure that the provisions of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 are implemented, in light of the fact that it is the most common cancer in Ireland; if he will engage with the relevant authorities to launch a public information campaign regarding skin cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28248/23]
View answerAction 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan is "Develop and deliver an annual SunSmart communications plan to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention behaviours". This follows on from a similar action in the first Skin Cancer Prevention Plan.
The SunSmart campaign has run in 2021, 2022 and is currently running for 2023. This campaign is rolled out across social media, radio and digital audio. Healthy Ireland has co-funded this campaign with the HSE every year, and will be providing €60,000 to co-fund the campaign in 2023.
Any increase in funding will be considered as part of the Estimates process later in the year.
As the implementation of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
