Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1262. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that environmental health officers are adequately resourced to ensure that sun bed operators comply with current legislation, in light of the fact that it is the most common cancer in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28249/23]
View answerSkin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Most cases of skin cancer are preventable. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main risk factor for skin cancer. UV radiation is emitted naturally from the sun and is also generated from artificial sources such as sunbeds. Exposure to UV radiation is considered a modifiable risk factor for skin cancer because we can limit our exposure by protecting our skin from the sun and refraining from sunbed use.
Cancer prevention is identified as a cornerstone of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, and the development of a national Skin Cancer Prevention Plan was identified as a priority deliverable. The Department of Health with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and key stakeholders developed the national Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2019-2022, which focused on primary prevention. A multi-stakeholder implementation group was formed to oversee and monitor the implementation of the Plan. A Skin Cancer Prevention Co-Ordinator was appointed in December 2020, to co-ordinate the implementation of the Plan. This position was funded through the Sláintecare Integration Fund.
The second national Skin Cancer Prevention Plan, 2023-2026, was launched by Minister Hildegarde Naughton on March 22nd, 2023. This Plan aims to build further on the work of the 2019-2022 Plan and includes continued collaboration with key partners and stakeholders to ensure a whole and complete approach to skin cancer prevention. The Plan has seven thematic areas which elaborate on specific actions to be undertaken to implement the Plan and how priority populations will be engaged. These priority populations include children (0-12 years), adolescents and young adults (13-24 years), outdoor workers, people involved in sports, recreation and tourism, and people who use sunbeds and other artificial UV sources. The Plan outlines actions which can be taken to reduce the risk of skin cancer such as following the SunSmart code and avoiding the use of sunbeds.
The Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 was introduced to protect children and those under 18 years of age from the risk of skin damage, in view of their increased risk of developing skin cancer and to regulate the use of sunbeds by those over 18 years of age so as to reduce their likelihood of developing skin cancer, premature aging, damage to their eyes and other health risks from exposure to UV radiation.
All HSE Environmental Health Service Officers are authorised to enforce the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 and do so as part of their routine work. This involves inspection of sunbed premises, test purchasing and mystery shopping exercises, and complaint investigation. The HSE Environmental Health Service takes action, as appropriate, when breaches of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 have been identified.
The resourcing of the HSE Environmental Health Service is a matter for the HSE through its annual service planning processes.
