Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
409. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the expenditure for the Healthy Ireland office for each year since its establishment; the cost of information campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17757/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Wellbeing Programme in my Department is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Healthy Ireland which is the National Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025. Healthy Ireland is based on evidence and experience from around the world which clearly shows that to create positive changes in health and wellbeing takes the involvement of the whole of Government and all of society working in unison. Since Healthy Ireland was launched in March 2013, my Department has developed several policies and strategies to support population health and wellbeing, including obesity, physical activity, sexual health, tobacco and alcohol.
It is not possible to identify in totality how much funding is currently spent on improving health and wellbeing across all Government Departments and agencies and in wider society.
Since the launch of Healthy Ireland, expenditure on its implementation from within the budget of the Department of Health has amounted to the following:
2013 - €89,315;
2014 - €586,470;
2015 - €607,706.83;
2016 - €1,156,405;
2017 - €5,996,837 (incl. the Healthy Ireland Fund)
2018 - €5,586,906 (incl. the Healthy Ireland Fund)
2019 - €622,514 (to date)
The Healthy Ireland Fund was established in 2017, with an initial annual allocation of €5 million, and aims to stimulate and support cross-sectoral action to support implementation of Healthy Ireland.
In addition to the expenditure noted above, other expenditure arising within the Department could also be described as "Healthy Ireland" depending on classification.
In relation to the cost of information campaigns, expenditure relating to the Healthy Ireland Communication and Citizen Engagement Campaign activity for 2018 amounted to €758,585. The campaign, which is a Government priority campaign, focusses on three key themes, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Mental Wellbeing, and aims to encourage people to make positive choices to improve their physical and mental health, while also providing support and information to help people make those healthier choices. Campaign activity in 2018 included digital and social media activity, sponsored media articles and radio advertising, to increase awareness of Healthy Ireland, promote the gov.ie/healthyireland resource and link people with relevant information and supports provided by partner organisations. The campaign is continuing in 2019, and the latest phase was launched on the 8th of April.
In July 2018, the Government made a decision to establish a Healthy Ireland Office in the Department of Health to co-ordinate and oversee the delivery of the above actions and to support strengthened cross-Government collaboration on the implementation of Healthy Ireland. Work to progress the establishment of this Office is underway.
