Dr. Elaine Mooney:

In the west of Ireland there is a small number of home economists called home management advisers who work for the HSE. The advisers have a very practical-based employment where they work with low-income families in conjunction with the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS. The advisers go into people's homes and accompany the mothers or parents to shops to show them how to shop, describe what is a good buy and outline how to read food labels, etc. There is a hands-on, practical approach to the teaching of life skills. We would love to see the scheme rolled out to other health board regions. The advisers also actively engage with pregnant teen mothers and teach them infant nutrition, how to wean a baby etc. We would love to see the teaching of home economics move into the community.