Carol Nolan
Question:1826. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the funding and development of a National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38783/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1826)
Written answers
The first National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2019-2022, was developed by the Department (Health and Wellbeing and Cancer Policy Units), in collaboration with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) other and key stakeholders.
The focus of the Plan was on primary prevention; it was launched on 27th May 2019. A multi-stakeholder implementation group was formed after the launch, to oversee and monitor the implementation of the plan.
The next phase of the Plan, from 2023-2026, was launched in March 2023.
Action 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 is to "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 has contributed €60,000 in support for the campaign in 2023.
As the HSE is leading on implementation of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026, this is a service matter and I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.