Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2024
144. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he has considered technology to create incidental activity which leads to better health outcomes without people realising it at the time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4348/24]
View answerThe use of gamification techniques and products to encourage people to change behaviours has become more commonplace in recent times. There are clear ethical ethical aspects to be considerations to be considered when assessing the suitability of such approaches in the area of health and the bar for these considerations is even higher for a publicly funded service. The HSE, as the operational part of the health service, are normally the entity that assesses the need and effectiveness of new technologies, but as a publicly funded organisation will assess their own needs before initiating a tender process. We note this submission relates to a particular product from a particular company, who would be entitled to bid for any such product or service.
