Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1138. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the behavioural change subgroup of NPHET; the number of times the group has met since June 2020; if the group continues to advise NPHET; the number of reports the group has produced; the date of publication of these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32381/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that the NPHET COVID-19 Subgroup – Behavioural Change was established on 18th March 2020 to support the NPHET in its work by providing insights and evidence to support communications and other interventions required to drive and sustain behavioural change as part of the COVID-19 response.
The Subgroup’s Membership included representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) and a number of Irish experts from national agencies and academic institutions: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/3008f6-the-national-public-health-emergency-team-nphet-covid-19-subgroup-be/
The Subgroup met on 17 occasions, on the following dates:
18th, 20th, 27th March;
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th April;
7th, 14th, 21st, 29th, May;
5th, 12th, 24th June;
10th, 24th July.
The agendas and minutes of these meetings are published on the Department of Health website:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/3008f6-the-national-public-health-emergency-team-nphet-covid-19-subgroup-be/.
The Subgroup produced 11 reports, which will be published on the Department of Health website in the coming days: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/.
Research papers that were published by Members of the Subgroup are also available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/3008f6-the-national-public-health-emergency-team-nphet-covid-19-subgroup-be/.
In July 2020, as part of a process examining the work of all the Subgroups of the NPHET, the Subgroup on Behavioural Change undertook a review of its work. A paper was submitted to the NPHET on 23rd July confirming that the Subgroup had met its terms of reference. The Subgroup was accordingly stood down and its work was realigned into the appropriate policy and operational functions of the Department of Health or other relevant organisations, or bodies. The group’s final meeting was on 24th July.
At the NPHET meeting on the 23rd July, it was agreed the Subgroup would be reconstituted on an advisory basis, when required, to provide expert insight to the NPHET. The new advisory group is called the COVID-19 Communications and Behaviour Advisory Group, this is not a subgroup of the NPHET. The New groups terms of reference are as follows:
- Provide evidence-based analysis and advice to the Department of Health Covid-19 Communications function to understand key population behaviours and drivers and inform public communications activities;
- Analyse the data generated through the Department’s research processes conducted to listen to the public to understand and address emerging concerns, and advise on potential research issues;
- The group will meet on a regular basis to review and provide insights with the outputs of this process being fed into NPHET on a monthly basis;
- The group may also be requested to meet or otherwise provide analysis and advice on an additional ad-hoc basis if required, for example on an emerging issue of concern.
The Membership of the NPHET continues to be multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral in line with best international practice.
