Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
151. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health what work is under way in his Department on the successor to the Obesity Policy and Action Plan; if he can outline what reviews and evidence gathering is under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8167/24]
View answerA Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a coordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland and the increasing burden placed on individuals and society.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
A mid-term evaluation was carried out by UCC which covered the period 2016 to May 2021 which examined implementation and progress on delivery of the actions under the OPAP. Separately, an internal review of the Obesity Policy Action Plan was published by the Department in November 2022 which provided an update on the status of some of the main deliverables in the Ten Steps suite of population-health approaches of the OPAP.
The current OPAP runs through to the end of 2025 and a successor Obesity Policy and Action Plan will be due at the beginning of 2026. Initial discussions have started at official level in the Obesity and Nutrition policy unit in the Department with a view to preparing the development of the next OPAP. Findings from the UCC Evaluation, the internal OPAP review, developments at an EU and international level in the past number of years, including the work of the EU Joint Action Best ReMaP will be key to consideration of the next OPAP. Consultations with stakeholders in due course will also be part of the development of the successor OPAP.
