asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a suitable body to carry out a national nutritional education programme on a permanent basis.
39.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nutritional Education Programme.
38.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the contribution that a national programme of nutritional education could make to the welfare of the community as a whole and especially by enabling those on lower incomes to derive the maximum benefit from the portion of their income spent on food; and if he will immediately inaugurate such a programme.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
As the Deputy is probably aware, I have recently, with the approval of the Government, set up a health education bureau. Its functions include inter alia, the drawing up and carrying out of programmes of health education at national and local levels in accordance with agreed national priorities. The nutritional education programme envisaged by the Deputy would fall within such functions.
I am aware of the value of a programme of nutritional education and when I was reconstituting and expanding the food advisory committee recently I included in the membership specialists in the nutritional aspect of food. The address made by my Parliamentary Secretary at the inaugural meeting of the committee specifically highlighted the importance of nutrition.
The committee has decided to establish a special sub-committee on nutrition. I understand that the sub-committee will be asked to consider on a broad basis what action is now desirable in this section in the public health interest. The recommendation of this sub-committee will be considered by the main committee who will, in turn, report to me.
If the committee recommend that a nutritional education programme requires priority, I shall bring their recommendation to the notice of the health education bureau.
I am very grateful to the Minister for that.